Devices and methods for delivering particles

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices, and methods for delivering therapeutic particles are disclosed. In one variation, a device for delivering particles includes a gas supply configured for supplying gas under pressure, a particle cassette comprising the particles, a cassette housing, and a cassette membrane. The cassette housing can comprise an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) copolymer of 18% to 28% by weight of Vinyl Acetate (VA). The device can also include a safety interlock to prevent or minimize the risk that the device will be unintentionally activated. The device can also have a silencer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of and claims thebenefit of priority to International Application No. PCT/US15/17816filed on Feb. 26, 2015, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/945,021, filed on Feb. 26, 2014, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

The ability to deliver pharmaceuticals or other therapeutics throughskin (transdermal) or other organ layers can provide many advantagesover oral or parenteral delivery techniques. In particular, transdermaldelivery can provide a safe, convenient and noninvasive alternative totraditional drug administration systems, conveniently avoiding the majorproblems associated with oral delivery (e.g. variable rates ofabsorption and metabolism, gastrointestinal irritation and/or bitter orunpleasant drug tastes) or parenteral delivery (e.g. needle pain, therisk of introducing infection to treated individuals, the risk ofcontamination or infection of health care workers caused by accidentalneedle-sticks and the disposal of used needles). In addition,transdermal delivery can afford a high degree of control over bloodconcentrations of administered pharmaceuticals.

Traditional needleless syringes are known that deliver therapeuticparticles entrained in a supersonic gas flow. Such traditionalneedleless syringes can be used for transdermal delivery of powdereddrug compounds and compositions, for delivery of genetic material intoliving cells (e.g. gene therapy), and for the delivery ofbiopharmaceuticals to skin, eye, muscle, blood or lymph. Traditionalneedleless syringes can also be used in conjunction with surgery todeliver drugs and biologics to organ surfaces, solid tumors, and/or tosurgical cavities (e.g. tumor beds or cavities after tumor resection).In theory, practically any therapeutic agent that can be prepared in asubstantially solid, particulate form can be safely and easily deliveredusing such devices.

However, traditional needleless syringes often deliver therapeuticparticles at a large range of velocities with potentially non-uniformspatial distribution across a target treatment surface. Differences inparticle velocity may make it difficult to deliver high-potency powdereddrugs, vaccines, etc. to specific target layers underneath the targettreatment surface. Furthermore, such non-uniform spatial distributionmay cause further complications with the efficacy of such therapeuticsafter delivery. In addition, flow considerations inside traditionalneedleless syringes may limit the maximum treatment surface area overwhich the therapeutic particles may be spread, thereby limiting themaximum particle payload size.

Additionally, traditional needleless syringes often produce a loud soundwhen actuated, which can scare patients such as small children, therebydefeating the purpose of choosing a needleless syringe over aneedled-syringe. Therefore, a device, system, and/or method is neededfor quietly and uniformly delivering particulate therapeutics through apatient's skin or other organ layer over a larger target treatmentsurface. By uniformly delivering such particulates over a largertreatment surface, therapeutic payloads with larger particulate volumescan be delivered.

SUMMARY

Devices, systems, and methods for delivering therapeutics in particulateor powdered form are disclosed. A device is disclosed for deliveringparticles. The device can have a gas supply and a particle cassettehaving a cassette housing and a cassette membrane for storing theparticles. The cassette housing can be made of an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate(EVA) copolymer of 18% to 28% Vinyl Acetate (VA). The gas supply can beconfigured to supply gas under pressure to deliver the particles byrupturing the cassette membrane.

The cassette housing can have a particle reservoir having an innerdiameter from 5.0 mm to 7.0 mm. The cassette housing can also have aparticle reservoir having an inner diameter from 5.8 mm to 6.5 mm. Thecassette membrane can be made of polycarbonate. The cassette membranecan be between 10 to 30 microns thick. The cassette housing can be madeof an EVA copolymer between 18% to 20% VA.

The device can have a trigger and a safety interlock configured toimpede actuation of the trigger when the safety interlock is engaged.The device can have a silencer cover and a silencer packing material.The cassette housing can be made of an EVA copolymer of 18% VA. Thecassette housing can have a male cassette part and a female cassettepart and a piece of the cassette membrane can cover a first cassetteport of the male cassette part and another piece of the cassettemembrane can cover a second cassette port of the female cassette part.

Another variation of the device is disclosed for delivering particles.The device can have a gas supply configured to supply gas underpressure, a particle cassette having a cassette housing and a cassettemembrane for storing the particles, wherein the cassette housingcomprises an EVA copolymer of 18% to 28% VA, a trigger, and adisengageable safety interlock. A portion of the case can be thedisengageable safety interlock.

The cassette membrane can be 10 to 30 microns thick and can be made ofpolycarbonate. The disengageable safety interlock can be configured toimpede actuation of the trigger. The device can comprise a silencercover and a silencer packing material.

A method is disclosed for delivering particles. The method can includestoring the particles in a particle cassette having a cassette housingand a cassette membrane, wherein the cassette housing comprises an EVAcopolymer of 18% to 28% VA, delivering pressurized gas to the exteriorof the particle cassette, rupturing the particle cassette with thepressurized gas, and accelerating the particles out of the particlecassette with the pressurized gas.

In one variation, greater than 40% of the particles can be delivered bythe pressurized gas. In another variation, greater than 70% of theparticles can be delivered by the pressurized gas. In yet anothervariation, between 40-85% of the particles can be delivered by thepressurized gas. In additional variations, between 40-70% of theparticles can be delivered by the pressurized gas. In even morevariations, between 60-85% of the particles can be delivered by thepressurized gas. The cassette membrane can comprise polycarbonate. Thecassette membrane can be 10 to 30 microns thick. The method can includedisengaging a safety interlock. The method can include accelerating theparticles out of the particle cassette with the pressurized gas througha silencer.

Another variation of the device for delivering particles is disclosed.The device can have a pressurized gas supply storing a pressurized gas,a trigger having a trigger top and a trigger pin, a disengageable safetyinterlock configured to impede actuation of the trigger, a gas flowpassageway, a delivery port, and a particle cassette storing theparticles. The particle cassette can be positioned in the gas flowpassageway between the pressurized gas supply and the delivery port.

The safety interlock can be fixed to the case. The case can betranslatable with respect to the trigger. The case can be in a firstposition with respect to the trigger and the safety interlock can beconfigured to impede actuation of the trigger. The safety interlock canalso engagably fit into the trigger to prevent actuation of the trigger.

The case can be in a second position with respect to the trigger and thesafety interlock can be configured to allow actuation of the trigger.When the trigger is translatable with respect to the safety interlockand when the trigger is in a first position with respect to the safetyinterlock, the safety interlock can impede actuation of the trigger.When the trigger is in a second position with respect to the safetyinterlock, the trigger can be free to actuate.

At least part of the safety interlock can be removably attached to thecase. At least a portion of the safety interlock can be inside at leasta portion of the trigger top when the device is in a locked position.The trigger can be configured to break a portion of the gas supply whenthe trigger is actuated. The device can have a silencer having asilencer cover and a silencer packing material. The trigger can beconfigured to translate a removably attached cover on the gas supplywhen the trigger is actuated. The safety interlock can comprise atriangular impeding element.

The particles can be a powdered form of a therapeutic agent. Thetherapeutic agent can be an anesthetic.

Another variation of the device for delivering particles is disclosed.The device can include a pressurized gas supply storing a pressurizedgas, a trigger having a trigger top and a trigger pin, a case having adisengageable safety interlock configured to impede actuation of thetrigger, a gas flow passageway, a delivery port, and a particlecassette.

The particle cassette can contain the particles. The particle cassettecan be positioned in the gas flow passageway between the gas supply andthe delivery port. A portion of the particle cassette can be made of anEVA copolymer of 18% to 28% VA. The device can have a silencer having asilencer cover and a silencer packing material.

Another variation of a method for delivering particles is disclosed. Themethod can include disengaging a safety interlock on a delivery device.The delivery device can have a trigger, the safety interlock, a gassupply, and the particles. The method can also include activating thetrigger by releasing a pressurized gas from the gas supply, channelingthe pressurized gas toward the particles, and accelerating the particlesto a treatment surface. The delivery device can accelerate the particlesby delivering an accelerating force to the particles.

The delivery device can have a case and the safety interlock can becoupled to the case. Disengaging the safety interlock can involve movingthe case relative to the trigger. The safety interlock can have animpeding element and the impeding element can extend from the caseparallel to a longitudinal axis of the case. The impending element canbe located inside the trigger. Disengaging the safety interlock caninclude breaking an impeding element. Disengaging the safety interlockcan also include removing the impeding element from the inside of thetrigger.

The safety interlock can also be contiguous with and extend from thecase. The case can be separably attached to an impeding element.Disengaging the safety interlock can include separating the impedingelement from the case.

The delivery device can have a particle cassette and a cassette membranefor storing the particles. The pressurized gas can breach the cassettemembrane to deliver the particles out of the particle cassette and intoa gas flow passageway leading to the treatment surface. The particlecassette can have a cassette housing and the cassette membrane can becoupled to the cassette housing. The cassette housing can be made of anEVA copolymer of 18% to 28% VA. The method can include accelerating theparticles to the treatment surface through a silencer comprising asilencer cover and a silencer packing material.

Another variation of the device for delivering particles is disclosed.The device can have a pressurized gas supply, a gas flow passagewaydefined by a device segment, a particle cassette, a first silencercomponent, and a second silencer component.

The first silencer component can radially surround an outer surface ofthe device segment. The first silencer component can also radiallysurround an inner surface of the device segment. The first silencercomponent can be a silencer packing material. The silencer packingmaterial can be made of foam. The foam can be made of porouspolyurethane. The first silencer component can be a coating. The coatingcan be made of polyurethane. The coating can be formed bydouble-injection molding.

The second silencer component can radially surround the device segment.The second silencer component can define at least a length of the gasflow passageway. The second silencer component can be a silencer cover.The second silencer component can radially surround the first silencercomponent.

The first silencer component can also radially surround an inner surfaceof the second silencer component. The pressurized gas supply can delivera pressurized gas between 10 to 60 bar of pressure through the gas flowpassageway. The pressurized gas can also deliver the particles from theparticle cassette through the gas flow passageway. The device cancomprise a cassette housing for storing the particles and wherein thecassette housing can comprise EVA copolymer of 18% to 28% VA. The devicecan comprise a disengageable safety interlock.

The device can have a nozzle. At least a length of the gas flowpassageway can extend through the nozzle. At least a portion of thenozzle can extend radially outward in a downstream direction of the gasflow passageway. The first silencer component can radially surround anouter surface of the nozzle.

Another variation of the device for delivering particles is disclosed.The device can have a silencer cover, a silencer packing material, a gasflow passageway defined by a device segment, a particle cassette havinga cassette housing storing the particles, and a pressurized gas supply.The pressurized gas supply can be configured to deliver the particlesthrough the gas flow passageway using pressurized gas. The cassettehousing can be made of an EVA copolymer of 18% to 28% VA.

The silencer packing material can radially surround an outer surface ofthe device segment. The silencer packing material can also radiallysurround an inner surface of the device segment. The silencer cover candefine at least a length of the gas flow passageway. The silencer covercan surround the silencer packing material. The device can have adisengageable safety interlock.

Another variation of the device for delivering particles is disclosed.The device can have a silencer, a trigger, a disengageable safetyinterlock configured to impede actuation of the trigger, a gas flowpassageway defined by a device segment, and a pressurized gas supply.The pressurized gas supply can be configured to deliver the particlesthrough the gas flow passageway using pressurized gas when the triggeris actuated.

The device can also have a case. A portion of the case can be thedisengageable safety interlock. The silencer can surround an outersurface of the device segment. The silencer can surround an innersurface and an outer surface of the device segment. The silencer canhave a polyurethane foam coating.

The device can have a particle cassette having a cassette housing forstoring the particles. The cassette housing can be made of an EVAcopolymer of 18% to 28% VA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a illustrates a variation of a delivery device.

FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device taken alongcross-section A-A of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1c is a close-up view B-B of a variation of a trigger.

FIG. 1d is a close-up view B-B of another variation of the trigger.

FIG. 1e is a close-up view B-B of another variation of the trigger.

FIG. 1f is a close up view B-B of yet another variation of the trigger.

FIG. 1g is a close up view B-B of a variation of a safety interlock in alocked position.

FIG. 1h is a close up view B-B of a variation of the safety interlockbeing disengaged.

FIG. 1i is a close up view B-B of a variation of the safety interlockdisengaged.

FIG. 1j illustrates a variation of the delivery device being applied toa treatment surface.

FIG. 1k illustrates a variation of the delivery device applied to thetreatment surface.

FIG. 1l illustrates a variation of a gas flow passageway through thedelivery device.

FIG. 2a illustrates a variation of the inner housing.

FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the inner housingtaken along cross-section C-C of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 2c is a side transparent view of a variation of the inner housing.

FIG. 3a is a variation of a gas supply.

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the gas supply takenalong cross-section D-D of FIG. 3 a.

FIGS. 3c through 3e illustrate variations of a trigger interacting withthe gas supply.

FIG. 3f illustrates another variation of the gas supply.

FIG. 4a illustrates a variation of a compliant ball spacer.

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the compliant ballspacer taken along cross-section E-E of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 4c is a top plan view of a variation of the compliant ball spacer.

FIG. 5a illustrates a variation of a filter.

FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the filter takenalong cross-section L-L of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 5c is another variation of the filter.

FIG. 6a illustrates a variation of an expansion chamber.

FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the expansionchamber taken along cross-section F-F of FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7a illustrates a variation of a nozzle.

FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the nozzle takenalong cross-section G-G of FIG. 7 a.

FIGS. 7c through 7g illustrate variations of the nozzle.

FIG. 8a illustrates a variation of a retainer.

FIG. 8b a cross-sectional view of a variation of the retainer takenalong cross-section H-H of FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 9a illustrates a variation of a silencer cover.

FIG. 9b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the silencer covertaken along cross-section M-M of FIG. 9 a.

FIGS. 9c through 9h illustrate variations of the silencer cover.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a silencer.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spring of the delivery device.

FIG. 12a illustrates a variation of a cover.

FIG. 12b illustrates a cross-sectional view of a variation of the covertaken along cross-section V-V of FIG. 12 a.

FIG. 13a illustrates cross-sectional view of a variation of a trigger.

FIG. 13b illustrates a bottom-up view of a variation of the trigger.

FIGS. 14a to 14e illustrate variations of a particle cassette.

FIG. 14f is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the particlecassette taken along cross-section W-W of FIG. 14 b.

FIG. 14g is a cross-sectional view of another variation of the particlecassette taken along cross-section W-W of FIG. 14 b.

FIG. 14h is a cross-sectional view of yet another variation of theparticle cassette taken along cross-section W-W of FIG. 14 b.

FIG. 15a illustrates a variation of a male cassette part of the particlecassette.

FIG. 15b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the male cassettepart taken along cross-section J-J of FIG. 15 a.

FIG. 16a illustrates a variation of a female cassette part of theparticle cassette.

FIG. 16b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the female cassettepart taken along cross-section K-K of FIG. 16 a.

FIG. 17a illustrates a rupturing of a variation of a particle cassette.

FIG. 17b illustrates a rupturing of another variation of the particlecassette.

FIG. 18 illustrates a rupturing of another variation of the particlecassette.

FIG. 19a illustrates a rupturing of another variation of the particlecassette.

FIG. 19b illustrates a rupturing of another variation of the particlecassette.

FIG. 20 illustrates a rupturing of a variation of the delivery devicehaving two particle cassettes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention are providedherein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention maybe embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to employthe present invention in virtually any detailed system, structure, ormanner.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described. Thefollowing description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One skilledin the art will understand, however, that the embodiments may bepracticed without many of these details. Additionally, some well-knownstructures or functions may not be shown or described in detail so as toavoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the variousembodiments.

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended tobe interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it isbeing used in conjunction with a detailed description of certainspecific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may even beemphasized below. Any terminology intended to be interpreted in anyrestricted manner, however, will be overtly and specifically defined assuch in this detailed description section.

FIG. 1a illustrates a variation of a delivery device 1. The deliverydevice 1 can deliver particles 216 (see FIGS. 14f and 17) to a treatmentsurface 11 (see FIG. 1k ). The treatment surface 11 can be an organsurface such as the skin or dermis. The particles 216 can includetherapeutics, pharmaceuticals, genetic material, biologics, or acombination thereof in solid or particulate form. In one variation, thedelivery device 1 can be a needleless syringe. The delivery device 1 canhave a device longitudinal axis 32, a device lateral axis 34, and adevice length 36. The device length 36 can be between about 1400 mm and1700 mm or more narrowly, between about 1600 mm and 1675 mm. The devicelength 36 can also be about 1450 mm, 1500 mm, 1550 mm, 1600 mm, 1650 mm,1675 mm, and 1700 mm.

The delivery device 1 can have a case 22 (see FIG. 1b ) having a handleend 3 and an injection end 7 distal to or opposite the handle end 3along the device longitudinal axis 32. In one variation, the case 22 canbe a substantially cylindrical case. In another variation, the case 22can be a frustoconical case, a conical case, a cuboid case, a pyramidalcase, a prismatic case, or a combination thereof.

The delivery device 1 can have a trigger 24 located on or protrudingfrom a circumferential or side surface of the case 22 of the deliverydevice 1. The trigger 24 can be accessed through an opening on thecircumferential surface or side surface of the handle end 3 of the case22. In one variation, a user contact surface 25 (see FIG. 1c ) of thetrigger 24 can be substantially flush with the circumferential surfaceor side surface of the case 22. In another variation, the trigger 24 canbe sunk into the case 22 and the user contact surface 25 of the trigger24 can be radially inward from the circumferential surface of the case22. In yet another variation, the trigger 24 can protrude from or extendbeyond the case 22 and the user contact surface 25 of the trigger 24 canbe radially outward from the circumferential surface or the side surfaceof the case 22. The trigger 24 can be located or positioned at thehandle end 3 of the case 22. The trigger 24 can be located or positionedproximal to the handle end 3 of the case 22. The trigger 24 can belocated superior to the halfway point of the device longitudinal axis 32when the injection end 7 of the delivery device 1 is facing down.

The delivery device 1 can have a silencer 5 at the injection end 7 ofthe delivery device 1. The silencer 5 can reduce the sound produced bythe delivery device 1 when the delivery device 1 is actuated. Thesilencer 5 can have a radial diameter smaller than the radial diameterof the portion of the case 22 in contact with the silencer 5.

FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the delivery device1 of FIG. 1a taken along cross-section A-A. FIG. 1b illustrates that thedelivery device 1 can have an inner housing 2, a gas supply 4, acompliant ball spacer (CBS) 6, one or more filters 8, an expansionchamber 10, a nozzle 12, a retainer 14, the silencer 5 having a silencercover 16 and a silencer packing material 18, a spring 20, the case 22,the trigger 24, a particle cassette 200 having a male cassette part 26and a female cassette part 28, a delivery port 30, or any combinationthereof.

In one variation, the inner housing 2 can be a substantially cylindricalhousing. In another variation, the inner housing 2 can be a cuboidhousing, a conical housing, a frustoconical housing, a pyramidalhousing, a prismatic housing, or a combination thereof. The gas supply 4can be a pressurized gas container, a one-shot gas container, apressurized cartridge, or a combination thereof.

The silencer 5 can include a silencer cover 16 and the silencer packingmaterial 18. The silencer cover 16 can be toroidal, cylindrical,conical, frustoconical, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1c is a close up view B-B of a variation of the trigger 24 of thedelivery device 1. The trigger 24 can have a trigger top 27 and atrigger pin 48. The trigger top 27 can have the user contact surface 25at the top or radially outward surface of the trigger top 27. Thetrigger top 27 can have a trigger seat 208 on an underside or radiallyinward side of the trigger top 27. FIG. 1c illustrates that a safetyinterlock 114 of the delivery device 1 can impede the actuation of thetrigger 24 when a user applies a radially inward force to the usercontact surface 25 of the trigger top 27. The safety interlock 114 canimpede the actuation of the trigger 24 by impeding the radially inwarddepression of the trigger 24. The safety interlock 114 can impede theactuation of the trigger 24 by blocking or abutting the trigger seat 208of the trigger 24. The safety interlock 114 can impede the actuation ofthe trigger 24 by preventing the trigger pin 48 from being depressedradially inward.

The safety interlock 114 can be fixed to or extend from the case 22. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 1c , the safety interlock 114 can be asubstantially flat or planar extension of the case 22. As illustrated inFIG. 1c , the trigger seat 24 can be substantially flat or planar. Thesubstantially flat surface of the trigger seat 208 can rest or pushagainst the safety interlock 114 to impede the depression or activationof the trigger 24. The safety interlock 114 can impede the actuation ofthe trigger 24 to prevent the unintentional release of a pressurized gas100 (see FIGS. 7c-7e for an example illustration of the pressurized gas100).

FIG. 1d is a close up view B-B of a variation of the trigger 24 of thedelivery device 1. FIG. 1d illustrates that the safety interlock 114 canhave a triangular impeding element 29 extending from a tip of the safetyinterlock 114. The triangular impeding element 29 can have a slopedsurface configured to contact or abut a congruently sloped surface ofthe trigger seat 208 to impede the actuation of the trigger 24.

FIG. 1e is a close up view B-B of another variation of the trigger 24 ofthe delivery device 1. FIG. 1e illustrates that the safety interlock 114can be inserted into a notch 15 of the trigger top 27. The notch 15 canbe a groove, divot, or opening in the trigger top 27. The notch 15 canbe located above the trigger seat 208. The notch 15 can surround orencompass a portion of the safety interlock 114, such as the tip of thesafety interlock 114. When the safety interlock 114 is inserted into thetrigger top 27, the trigger 24 can be impeded from being depressedradially inward into the case 22 of the delivery device 1.

FIG. 1f is a close up view B-B of another variation of the trigger 24 ofthe delivery device 1. FIG. 1f illustrates that the safety interlock 114can have a latch 17 disposed at the tip of the safety interlock 114. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, trigger seat 208 can be configured as a receptoror counterpart for the latch 17. The latch 17 can engage with thetrigger seat 208 or receptor to impede the depression or actuation ofthe trigger 24.

In these and other variations, the delivery device 1 can have a tab orsafety cover extending over or covering a portion of the safetyinterlock 114 and the trigger 24. The tab or safety cover can be bentout of the way of the trigger 24 or be broken or torn off before thesafety interlock 114 can be disengaged from the trigger 24. For example,the tab or safety cover can be degraded by heat, such as the heat from auser's finger after five seconds, before permitting the safety interlock114 to be disengaged from the trigger 24.

FIG. 1g illustrates that the spring 20 can exert or apply a spring force203 parallel to or along the device longitudinal axis 32 (see FIG. 1a )on the inner housing 2 of the delivery device 1 toward the injection end7 of the delivery device 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1g , the trigger pin48 can be disposed in or encompassed by an access channel 201 of theinner housing 2. The access channel 201 can be a bore or opening in theinner housing 2.

The spring force 203 applied to the inner housing 2 can transmit anequivalent longitudinal force to the trigger pin 48. This transmittedforce can maintain the locked position of the trigger 24 by ensuring thetrigger 24 is forced against the safety interlock 114 and the triggerseat 208 is in continuous contact with the safety interlock 114. Thetrigger 24 will remain in such a locked position as long as there is nocountervailing force large enough to overcome the spring force 203exerted by the spring 20 against the inner housing 2.

FIG. 1h illustrates that the trigger 24 can overcome the spring force203 and be slidably translated toward the handle end 3 of the deliverydevice 1, as shown by arrow 215. The trigger 24 can be slidablytranslated parallel with the device longitudinal axis 32. The trigger 24and the case 22 can be translated with respect to each other. Forexample, a user can apply a force in the direction of arrow 215 to theuser contact surface 25 of the trigger top 27 to translate the trigger24 toward the handle end 3. In this example, a stepped-down portion 116of the trigger 24 can slide against a portion of the case 22 at thehandle end 3 of the delivery device 1. The stepped-down portion 116 ofthe trigger can slide against a radially inward surface of the portionof the case 22 at the handle end 3 of the delivery device 1.

The stepped-down portion 116 of the trigger 24 can be a portion of thetrigger top 27 located toward the handle end 3 of the delivery device 1and having a surface that is set radially inward from the user contactsurface 25 of the trigger 24. The stepped-down portion 116 of thetrigger 24 can be sloped or angled relative to the device longitudinalaxis 32. When the stepped-down portion 116 of the trigger 24 slidesagainst the radially inward surface of the case 22, the radially inwardsurface of the case 22 can apply a radially inward force on the triggertop 27 to elevate, tilt, or translate the trigger seat 208 away orradially outward from the safety interlock 114. By elevating, tilting,or translating the trigger seat 208 away or radially outward from thesafety interlock 114, the case 22 can disengage the trigger 24 from thesafety interlock 114. In this variation, the trigger top 27 can serve asa lever and the trigger pin 48 can serve as the fulcrum of the lever.

In another variation, the case 22, including the safety interlock 114,can be slidably translated toward the injection end 7 of the deliverydevice 1. The case 22 and the safety interlock 114 can be translated inthe direction of arrow 205. In this example, the case 22, including thesafety interlock 114 affixed to or serving as a part of the case 22, candisengage from the trigger 24, including the trigger seat 208, and nolonger impede or interfere with the radially inward depression oractuation of the trigger 24.

FIG. 1i illustrates that after the safety interlock 114 is disengagedfrom the trigger 24, the trigger 24 can be depressed or translatedradially inward in the direction of arrow 206 toward a midline of thedelivery device 1 unimpeded by the safety interlock 114.

FIG. 1j illustrates that when the injection end 7 of the delivery device1 is pressed against or makes contact with the treatment surface 11,such as dermis or skin surface of a patient, the inner housing 2 of thedelivery device 1 can be translated in the direction of arrow 217 towardthe handle end 3 of the delivery device 1. The inner housing 2 of thedelivery device 1 can be translated in the direction of arrow 217 whenthe silencer cover 16, the delivery port 30, or a combination thereof ispressed against or makes contact with the treatment surface 11. Theinner housing 2 can be translated within the case 22.

FIG. 1k illustrates that the movement or translation of the silencercover 16 can also translate or move the inner housing 2, the trigger pin48, or a combination thereof toward the handle end 3 of the deliverydevice 1. When the inner housing 2 is translated in the direction ofarrow 217, the safety interlock 114 can be disengaged from the trigger24 as discussed above and/or illustrated in FIGS. 1g -1 h.

FIG. 1l illustrates that when the trigger 24 is pressed or actuatedafter the safety interlock 114 is disengaged, the trigger pin 48 canpuncture or breach the gas supply 4 to release the pressurized gas 100from the gas supply 4. In another variation, the trigger pin 48 candisplace or translate a secondary pin, such as a secondary pin withinthe inner housing 2, to puncture or breach the gas supply 4. In yetanother variation, a tip of the trigger pin 48 distal to the trigger top27 can serve as a cap or plug for the gas supply 4 and actuating thetrigger 24 can involve displacing the cap or plug from the gas supply 4,thereby releasing the pressured gas from the gas supply 4.

When the trigger 24 is pressed or actuated, the trigger 24 can remain inthe pressed or actuated position or state to inform a user that thedelivery device 1 has been used or compromised. Alternatively, thetrigger 24 can return to its original or unactuated state afteractuation. In another variation, the trigger 24 can return to itsoriginal or unactuated state when a new instance of the gas supply 4 ornew particle cassette 200 are replaced in the delivery device 1.

FIG. 1l illustrates that when the gas supply 4 is breached, thepressurized gas 100 can escape or flow from the gas supply 4 through agas flow passageway 101. The pressurized gas 100 from the gas supply 4can flow from the handle end 3 of the delivery device 1 to the deliveryport 30 at the injection end 7 of the delivery device 1. The gas flowpassageway 101 can include openings, channels, chambers, or portions ofthe gas supply 4, the inner housing 2, the CBS 6, the filters 8, theexpansion chamber 10, the particle cassette 200, the nozzle 12, thesilencer 5, the case 22, or a combination thereof. Some portions of thegas flow passageway 101 can be pre-defined or preset by walls orsurfaces of the gas supply 4, the inner housing 2, the CBS 6, thefilters 8, the expansion chamber 10, the particle cassette 200, thenozzle 12, the silencer 5, the case 22, or a combination thereof. Otherportions of the gas flow passageway 101 can be created or shaped by thepressurized gas 100 as the pressurized gas 100, the particles 216carried by the pressurized gas 100, or a combination thereof as thepressurized gas 100 flows downstream from the handle end 3 of thedelivery device 1 to the injection end 7 or from the gas supply 4 to thedelivery port 30.

The particle cassette 200 can house or contain the particles 216. Thepressurized gas 100 can carry or deliver the particles 216 housed in theparticle cassette 200 through the nozzle 12. The pressurized gas 100 canenter the particle cassette 200 by breaking through or breaching acassette membrane 210 (see FIG. 14a ) at an upstream end of the particlecassette 200. In one variation, the pressurized gas 100 can also breakthrough another cassette membrane 210 at a downstream end of theparticle cassette 200. In this variation, the pressurized gas 100 cancreate a part of the gas flow passageway 101 and carry the particles 216housed in the particle cassette 200 downstream into the portion of thenozzle 12 serving as part of the gas flow passageway 101. Thepressurized gas 100 can carry the particles 216 by translating orimbuing the particles 216 with energy from the pressurized gas 100.

In another variation, the pressurized gas 100 can translate or imbue theparticles 216 in the particle cassette 200 with enough energy to breakthrough the other cassette membrane 210 at the downstream end of theparticle cassette 200. The nozzle 12 can accelerate the velocity of thepressurized gas 100, the particles 216, or a combination thereof. Thepressurized gas 100, the particles 216, or a combination thereof canexit the delivery device 1 through the delivery port 30. The deliverydevice 1 can deliver the particles 216 to the treatment surface 11 in auniform manner.

FIG. 2a is perspective view of a variation of the inner housing 2 of thedelivery device 1. The inner housing 2 can be composed or made of ametal, a polymer, or a composite thereof. For example, the inner housing2 can be made of polycarbonate. The inner housing 2 can have a housingopening 38, a housing port 40, a housing tip 52, a housing bracket 42,or a combination thereof. The housing opening 38 can be on an end of theinner housing 2 distal from the housing tip 52. For example, when theinner housing 2 is situated in the case 22, the housing opening 38 canbe at the injection end 7 of the delivery device 1 and the housing tip52 can be at the handle end 3.

The housing opening 38 can allow the gas supply 4 to be inserted intothe inner housing 2. The housing port 40 can be located proximal to thehousing tip 52 and distal from the housing opening 38. In one variation,the housing port 40 can be a substantially cylindrical port. In anothervariation, the housing port 40 can be a substantially cuboidal port.

FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of the innerhousing 2 of FIG. 2a taken along cross-section C-C. FIG. 2b illustratesthat the housing port 40 can be located on a lateral or circumferentialside of the inner housing 2. The housing port 40 can be perpendicular toa longitudinal axis of the inner housing 2. The housing port 40 canextend radially outward from the inner housing 2. The housing port 40can house or surround the trigger pin 48 of the trigger 24.

For example, a portion of the trigger pin 48 can be disposed or locatedin the access channel 201 of the housing port 40. The access channel 201can be the space surrounded by the walls of the housing port 40.

FIG. 2b also illustrates that the inner housing 2 can house or hold thegas supply 4. The gas supply 4 can be filled with the pressurized gas100 such as helium, oxygen, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof.The pressurized gas 100 can exit the housing opening 38 when the trigger24 (see FIGS. 1c-1i ) is actuated. The trigger 24 can be actuated whenthe trigger pin 48 enters the access channel 201. The delivery device 1can be actuated by the trigger 24 when the trigger pin 48 punctures,breaks, or displaces a component or piece of the gas supply 4 such asthe spout 50.

In one variation, the trigger pin 48 can be coupled or physicallyconnected to the spout 50. In another variation, the trigger pin 48 candisplace, move, or translate a secondary pin that can be used to breachor puncture the gas supply 4. For example, the trigger pin 48 candisplace, move, or translate a secondary pin that can break or puncturethe spout 50.

FIG. 2c illustrates that the inner housing 2 can have a housing length44. The housing length 44 can be between about 90 mm and 120 mm, morenarrowly, between about 100 mm and 115 mm. The housing length 44 can beabout 105 mm, about 108 mm, about 108.5 mm, about 110 mm, or about 115mm.

As illustrated in FIG. 2c , the housing bracket 42 can stabilize theinner housing 2 within the case 22. The housing bracket 42 can be acircular or toroidal latch. The housing bracket 42 can extend radiallyoutward from the center of the inner housing 2. The housing bracket 42can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner housing 2.The housing bracket 42 can be coupled and/or secured to the retainer 14.The housing bracket 42 can fit within the retainer 14. The housingbracket 42 can move the inner housing 2 proximally relative to the case22 when the device 1 is pressed against the surface. The housing tip 52can be on the proximal end of the inner housing 2. The housing tip 52can apply force against the spring 20 when the distal end of thedelivery device 1 is pressed against the surface. The spring 20 can besecured, attached, and/or coupled to the housing tip 52 and/or the case22.

The inner housing 2 can have an electronic sensor, a mechanical sensor,or a combination thereof. The electronic sensor, the mechanical sensorcan alert the user to ensure that the gas supply 4 is securely housed byor located in the inner housing 2. Another sensor or the same sensor canalso determine an amount of the pressurized gas 100 currently held bythe gas supply 4. For example, the sensor can inform a user of thedelivery device 1 that the gas supply 4 is full or empty. The innerhousing 2 can have an ejection mechanism to eject the gas supply 4 fromthe inner housing 2. The ejection mechanism can be coupled to the innerhousing 2, the case 22, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of an example variation of the gas supply4. As illustrated in FIG. 3a , the gas supply 4 can be a substantiallycylindrical container having the spout 50 at one end. When the gassupply 4 is secured or housed by the inner housing 2, a portion of thespout 50 can be located radially inward from the housing port 40 of theinner housing 2. The spout 50 can be located proximal to the handle end3 of the delivery device 1.

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of the gassupply 4 of FIG. 3a along cross-section D-D. FIG. 3b illustrates thatthe gas supply 4 can have a supply length 54, a supply compartment 56, asupply bevel 58, or a combination thereof. The supply compartment 56 canbe configured to house a gas under pressure. The gas can be helium,oxygen, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. The gas supply 4 canbe constructed or composed of a metal such as aluminum or steel, apolymer such as polycarbonate, or a composite thereof.

The supply length 54 can be between about 65 mm and 75 mm and, morenarrowly, between about 69 mm and 73 mm. The supply length 54 can alsobe about 70 mm, about 70.8 mm, about 71 mm, about 71.3 mm, or about 72mm.

The supply compartment 56 can have an inner wall and an outer wall. Thepressurized gas 100 in the supply compartment 56 can be charged to apressure greater than about 10 bar. The pressurized gas 100 can in thesupply compartment 56 also be charged to a pressure from about 10 bar toabout 60 bar.

The supply bevel 58 can be located at an end of the gas supply 4 distalto the spout 50. The supply bevel 58 can be formed as a divot orconcavity intruding into the supply compartment 56. The supply bevel 58can be coupled to the CBS 6. The supply bevel 58 can have a screen toprevent pressurized gas 100 from leaking. The supply bevel 58, thescreen, or a combination thereof can provide and strength for the gassupply 4 to prevent the gas supply 4 from bursting.

When the delivery device 1 is actuated, such as by a radially inwarddepression of the trigger 24, the pressurized gas 100 can flow at a highvelocity from the supply compartment 56 to the treatment surface 11. Thepressurized gas 100 can also carry the particles 216 from the particlecassette 200 to the treatment surface 11 at high velocity. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b , the spout 50 be a substantially conicalor tapered end of the gas supply 4 distal from the supply bevel 58.

FIG. 3c illustrates that the trigger pin 48 can snap off or displace aportion of the spout 50 from the remainder of the gas supply 4. Bysnapping off or displacing the portion of the spout 50 from theremainder of the gas supply 4, the trigger pin 48 can separate thedisplaced or broken off portion of the spout 50 from the remainder ofthe gas supply 4. The trigger pin 48 can snap off or displace a portionof the spout 50 when the safety interlock 114 is disengaged from thetrigger 24 and the trigger pin 48 is translated further into the accesschannel 201.

FIG. 3d illustrates that instead of snapping off or separating a portionof the spout 50 from the remainder of the gas supply 4, the trigger pin48 can apply a displacing force to a tip or head of the spout 50. Thepressurized gas 100 can flow or escape from an opening in the spout 50when the tip or head of the spout 50 is displaced relative to itsoriginal position. Also, in this variation, the spout 50, the gas supply4, or a combination thereof can once again be sealed or closed when thetrigger pin 48 is translated radially outward and is no longerdisplacing or impinging on the tip or head of the spout 50. In thisvariation, the tip or head of the spout 50 is never severed orcompletely separated from the remainder of the spout 50 or gas supply 4.

FIG. 3e illustrates that a tip or head of the spout 50 can be attachedor connected to the remainder of the spout 50 when the trigger pin 48displaces or partially separates the tip or head of the spout 50 fromthe remainder of the spout 50. In this variation, the pressurized gas100 is prevented from carrying the displaced tip or head of the spout 50toward the injection end 7 of the delivery device 1 and the treatmentsurface 11. By ensuring the tip or head of the spout 50 remains attachedor connected to the rest of the spout 50, the delivery device 1 canprevent the tip or head of the gas supply 4 from being injected into anorgan of the patient such as the skin of the patient.

FIG. 3f illustrates that the spout 50 can be encompassed or covered by ascreen 51. The screen 51 can prevent the pressurized gas 100 fromleaving from the gas supply 4 before the delivery device 1 is actuated.The trigger pin 48 can pierce the screen 51 when a user presses thetrigger 24. In another variation not shown in FIG. 3f , the screen 51can encompass or cover the entire gas supply 4.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a variation of the CBS 6 of thedelivery device 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4a , the CBS 6 can have one ormore CBS openings 60, a CBS base 61, and a CBS tip 62. The CBS 6 can becomposed or made of a polymer such as a high impact polystyrene (HIPS),a high performance elastomer such as Santoprene™, or a combinationthereof. For example, the CBS tip 62 can be made of Santoprene™ and theCBS base 61 can be made of HIPS. As illustrated in FIG. 4a , the CBS 6can be formed as a gasket. For example, the CBS 6 can be formed as asubstantially circular gasket. In other variations, the CBS 6 can beformed as a triangular or square gasket.

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of the CBS 6of FIG. 4a taken along cross-section E-E. FIG. 4b illustrates that theCBS 6 has a CBS length 64, a CBS diameter 66, a number of radial CBSopenings 60 a (see FIG. 4c ), a base CBS opening 60 b at the CBS base61, or a combination thereof.

The CBS diameter 66 can be between about 15 mm and 20 mm. The CBSdiameter 66 can also be between about 18 mm and 19 mm. For example, theCBS diameter 66 can be about 18 mm, about 18.8 mm, or about 19 mm. TheCBS length 64 can be between about 8 mm and 10 mm. The CBS length 64 canalso be about 8.8 mm, about 9 mm, or about 9.2 mm.

The CBS 6 can be coupled to the gas supply 4, the filter 8, the nozzle12, the particle cassette 200 such as the male cassette part 26, thefemale cassette part 28, or a combination thereof, the expansion chamber10, or any combination thereof. For example, the CBS tip 62 can becoupled to or face the gas supply 4. The CBS base 61 can be coupled tothe filter 8. The CBS 6 can prevent or reduce the leakage of gas fromthe gas supply 4. The CBS 6 can prevent gas from passing through the CBS6 to the filters 8, the expansion chamber 10, or a combination thereofuntil enough pressure has built up.

The CBS 6 can have a number of radial CBS openings surrounding the CBStip 62 and a base CBS opening 60 b at the CBS base 61. As illustrated inFIG. 4b , a channel can form between the radial CBS openings 60 a andthe base CBS opening 60 b.

FIG. 4c is a top plan view of an example variation of the CBS 6. Theradial CBS openings 60 a can surround the CBS tip 62.

FIG. 5a illustrates that the filters 8 can filter extraneous matter,such as dust, metal or polymer particles, or broken off pieces of thespout 50 present in any chambers or channels of the delivery device 1 orcarried by the pressurized gas 100 released from the gas supply 4. Inone variation, the delivery device 1 can have one, two, or three filters8 disposed in between the CBS 6 and the expansion chamber 10. Thefilters 8 can be made or manufactured from a metal, a polymer, or acomposite thereof. For example, the filters 8 can be made of stainlesssteel, such as 316L stainless steel. Also, for example, the filters 8can be made of polypropylene, or a composite of polypropylene and 316Lstainless steel. The filter 8 can be circular, oval, triangular,rectangular, square, or any combination thereof. The filter 8 can beporous, mesh, or any other material that can allow the pressurized gas100 to flow through the filter 8 but can impeded or hinder the flow ofextraneous matter carried or delivered by the pressurized gas 100. Thefilter 8 can have at least one, two, three, four, or more filter ports,perforations, or holes. The ports, perforations, or holes can betriangular, square, diamond, rectangular, oval, circular, or anycombination thereof.

The filter 8 can be positioned or affixed inside a channel or chamber,at an opening of a channel or chamber, or a combination thereof. Forexample, the filter 8 can be positioned or affixed at the radial CBSopenings 60 a, the base CBS opening 60 b, or a combination thereof. Thefilter 8 can be positioned or affixed inside the expansion chamber 10,the nozzle 12, the gas supply 4, or a combination thereof. The filter 8can be positioned or affixed at the first cassette port 213 a, thesecond cassette port 213 b, or any combination thereof.

The filter 8 can have a filter diameter 67. The filter diameter 67 canbe between about 17 mm and 20 mm, or more narrowly, between about 18 mmand 19 mm. The filter diameter 67 can be about 18 mm, about 18.5 mm, orabout 19 mm.

FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of the filter8 of FIG. 5a taken along cross-section L-L. FIG. 5b illustrates that thefilter 8 can have a filter thickness 68. The filter thickness 68 can bebetween about 0.1 mm and about 0.25 mm, more narrowly, between about 0.1mm and 0.2 mm, for example, about 0.1 mm, about 0.15 mm, and about 0.2mm. The filter 8 can be double-paned.

FIG. 5c illustrates that the filter 8 can comprise multiple filters 8arranged in different geometric configurations or arrangements. Forexample, FIG. 5c illustrates that the filter 8 can comprise a sphericalfilter 8 a and a circular filter 8 b inside the spherical filter 8 a. Inone variation, the spherical filter 8 a can comprise larger perforationsor holes than the circular filter 8 b affixed inside the sphericalfilter 8 a. In this variation, the spherical filter 8 a can act as acoarse filter for filtering out larger particulates or extraneous matterand the circular filter 8 b can act as a fine filter for filtering outsmall particulates or extraneous matter.

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an example variation of the expansionchamber 10 of the delivery device 1. FIG. 6a illustrates that theexpansion chamber 10 can be configured to hold or secure the particlecassette 200. The expansion chamber 100 can allow the pressurized gas100 from the gas supply 4 to build up in the expansion chamber 100. Forexample, the expansion chamber 100 can allow the gas pressure of thepressurized gas 100 to build up to a pressure above a pre-determinedthreshold. The expansion chamber 100 can allow the gas pressure of thepressurized gas 100 to build up to 10 bar, between 10 bar and 60 bar, orbetween 10 bar and 100 bar.

The expansion chamber 10 can also accelerate the pressurized gas 100toward the particle cassette 200. The expansion chamber 10 can have achamber flange 73 a and a chamber body 73 b. The chamber flange 73 a canbe coupled to or contacting the CBS 6. The chamber body 73 b can becoupled to or contacting the retainer 14. The chamber body 37 b canhouse a portion of the particle cassette 200, such as the male cassettepart 26.

The expansion chamber 100 can have a flow channel 71. The flow channel71 can be a conduit or space defined by the first chamber opening 70 a(see FIG. 6b ) at one end of the flow channel 71 and the second chamberopening 70 b (see FIG. 6b ) at the other end of the flow channel 71. Theflow channel 71 can be part of the gas flow passageway 101.

FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of theexpansion chamber 10 of FIG. 6a taken along cross-section F-F. FIG. 6billustrates that the chamber body 73 b can have a bell-shaped inner wall72 and a cassette holding portion 69. The bell-shaped inner wall 72 canhave a first diameter equivalent to the diameter of the first chamberopening 70 a. The diameter of the bell-shaped inner wall 72 can taperand converge to a second diameter. The second diameter can be smallerthan the first diameter.

The bell-shaped inner wall 72 can define the shape of the flow channel71 at this part of the expansion chamber 10. The bell-shaped inner wall72 can be configured to direct or congregate the pressurized gas 100flowing from the gas supply 4 into a progressively smaller space. Thebell-shaped inner wall 72 can ensure that the pressure of thepressurized gas 100 is built up as the pressurized gas 100 enters theexpansion chamber 10 through the first chamber opening 70 a.

The cassette holding portion 69 can house or secure a portion of theparticle cassette 200. The cassette holding portion 69 can be configuredin the shape of the particle cassette 200. For example, the cassetteholding portion 69 can be shaped as a substantially cylindrical housing.The cassette holding portion 69 can have a diameter larger than thediameter of the bell-shaped inner wall 72 in contact or connected to thecassette holding portion 69.

The cassette holding portion 69 can have an outwardly expanding innerwall 74. The outwardly expanding inner wall 74 can define the shape ofthe second chamber opening 70 b. The shape of the flow channel 71 can bedefined by the bell-shaped inner wall 72, the cassette holding portion68, the outwardly expanding inner wall 74, or a combination thereof.

The expansion chamber 10 can have at least one, two, or more expansionchamber ports 13. The expansion chamber port 13 can be shaped as anoval, a circle, a diamond, or any combination thereof. The expansionchamber port 13 can have one end that is arrow-shaped, another end thatis circular shaped, or a combination thereof. The expansion chamber port13 can be located on a side or circumferential surface of the expansionchamber 10. The expansion chamber port 13 can be located on the chamberbody 73 b. The expansion chamber port 13 can expose a portion of theflow channel 71 encompassed by the bell-shaped inner wall 72, thecassette holding portion 69, or a combination thereof.

The longitudinal axis of the expansion chamber port 13 can be parallelor perpendicular to the device longitudinal axis 32, the longitudinalaxis of the expansion chamber 10, or a combination thereof. Although notshown in FIGS. 6a and 6b , it is contemplated that one or moreadditional expansion chamber ports 13 can be located along thecircumferential or side surface of the expansion chamber 10. Forexample, a second expansion chamber port 13 can be located on a surfaceof the expansion chamber 10 diametrically opposed to the expansionchamber port 13 shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b . The expansion chamber ports13 can allow some of the pressurized gas 100 to escape or vent out ofthe expansion chamber 10. The expansion chamber ports 13 can also allowthe pressurized gas 100 to enter or circulate back into the expansionchamber 100.

FIG. 7a is a perspective view of an example variation of the nozzle 12of the delivery device 1. The nozzle 12 can be coupled or in contactwith the expansion chamber 10, one or more filters 8, the particlecassette 200, or a combination thereof. The nozzle 12 can also becoupled or connected to the gas supply 4. The nozzle 12 can have anelongate portion 79 and one or more fins 78 coupled or protruding froman outer circumferential surface of the elongate portion 79. In thevariation shown in FIG. 7a , the elongate portion 79 can be shaped as anextended cone having an elongate conical body. In the variation shown inFIG. 7c , the elongate portion 79 can be shaped as an elongate cylinderor tube having a uniform diameter throughout the elongate portion 79.The elongate portion 78 can open or flare out to a nozzle opening 86.When the elongate portion 79 is shaped as an extended cone, the diameterof the nozzle opening 86 can be greater than the diameter of all othercross-sections along the elongate portion 79.

The nozzle 12 can be constructed from a polymer, a metal, or a compositethereof. For example, the nozzle 12 can be constructed of polycarbonate.The nozzle 12 can contain or handle gas pressures between 10 bar and 100bar, or more narrowly, between 10 bar and 60 bar. The nozzle 12 canaccelerate the pressurized gas 100 through the elongate portion 79 at apressure between 10 bar and 60 bar. The nozzle 12 can also acceleratepressurized gas 100 entering the nozzle 12 at between 10 bar and 60 bar.

The one or more fins 78 can be affixed to or protrude radially from theouter circumferential surface of the elongate portion 79. Two, three, ormore fins 78 can be affixed to or protrude radially from the outercircumferential surface of the elongate portion 79. The radially outwardside of the fins 78 can be coupled to the inner surface of the case 22,the inner housing 2, the silencer cover 16, or a combination thereof.The fins 78 can provide structural rigidity to the nozzle 12 when thenozzle 12 is housed or secured by the case 22, the inner housing 2, or acombination thereof. The fins 78 can also be coupled to a portion of thesilencer 5, the silencer cover 16, the silencer packing material 18, orany combination thereof. The fins 8 can be affixed to protrude from theentire length of the elongate portion 79. The fins 78 can be configuredso that the radial length or height of the fins 78 decrease as theradial diameter of the elongate portion 79 increases. For example, theradial length or height of the fins 78 can be greatest at an end of theelongate portion 79 distal from the nozzle opening 86.

FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of the nozzle12 of FIG. 7a taken along cross-section G-G. FIG. 7b illustrates thatthe nozzle 12 can have a flow convergent section 80, a throat section84, the elongate portion 79, or any combination thereof. When theelongate portion 79 is an extended cone, the elongate portion 79 canhave a flow divergent section 82.

The nozzle 12 can have a nozzle wall 75 surrounding or encompassing anozzle channel 81. The nozzle channel 81 can be the space defined by theflow convergent section 80, the throat section 84, the elongate portion79, or any combination thereof.

The nozzle wall 75 can have a wall thickness 83. The wall thickness 83can be between about 0.01 mm and 3.00 mm. The wall thickness 83 can alsobe between 0.50 mm and 2.00 mm. For example, the wall thickness 83 canbe about 0.50 mm, 1.00 mm, 1.50 mm, or about 2.0 mm.

The nozzle 12 can also have a nozzle length 76. The nozzle length 76 canbe between about 50 mm and 75 mm. The nozzle length 76 can also bebetween about 55 mm and 65 mm. For example, the nozzle length 76 can beabout 65 mm.

The nozzle 12 can be coupled to the expansion chamber 10 at the flowconvergent section 80. The nozzle channel 81 can begin at the flowconvergent section 80, proceed through the throat section 84 and theflow divergent section 82 of the elongate portion 79, and end at thenozzle opening 86. The flow convergent section 80 and the flow divergentsection 82 can be used to accelerate the pressurized gas 100 tosupersonic speed or any other desired speed. For example, thepressurized gas 100 can first be brought to Mach 1 speed by proceedingthrough the flow convergent section 80 to the throat section 84. Thepressurized gas 100 can then be further accelerated by the flowdivergent section 82 to a steady state supersonic speed or any otherdesired speed. As illustrated in FIG. 7b , the radial diameter of thethroat section 84 can be smaller than the radial diameter of anytransverse cross-section of the elongate portion 79. In addition, theradial diameter of the throat section 84 can be smaller than the radialdiameter of the flow convergent section 80. The radial diameter of thenozzle opening 86 can be larger than the radial diameter of the throatsection 84 and the radial diameter of any transverse cross-section ofthe flow convergent section 80.

In one variation, the flow divergent section 82 of the elongate portion79 can be used to accelerate the particles 216 and disperse theparticles 216 to a larger treatment surface 11. The flow convergentsection 80 of the nozzle 12 can be configured to build up pressure inthe nozzle 12 so as to accelerate the pressurized gas 100 and theparticles 21 carried or delivered by the pressurized gas 100. The nozzlechannel 81 can be part of the gas flow passageway 101.

FIG. 7c illustrates another variation of the elongate portion 79. Asillustrated in FIG. 7c , the elongate portion 79 can be a substantiallycylindrical tube or conduit. In this variation, the pressurized gas 100can use the substantially cylindrical nozzle channel 81 to deliver theparticles 216 in a uniform manner.

FIG. 7d illustrates another variation of the elongate portion 79. Asillustrated in FIG. 7d , the thickness of the nozzle wall 75 surroundingthe elongate portion 79 can increase as the elongate portion 79 proceedsfrom the throat section 84 to the nozzle opening 86. As the thickness ofthe nozzle wall 75 increases, the shape of the nozzle channel 81 tapersso that the nozzle channel 81 is shaped or configured as an extendedcone with a base of the cone at the throat section 84 of the nozzle 12and the tip of the cone ending at the nozzle opening 86. In thisvariation, the pressurized gas 100 can deliver a more concentrated doseof the particles 216 to a smaller or more focused treatment surface 11.

FIG. 7e illustrates that the wall thickness 83 of the nozzle wall 75 canvary along the elongate portion 79. For example, the nozzle wall 75 canhave a first wall thickness 83 a and a second wall thickness 83 b. Thefirst wall thickness 83 a can be the thickness of the nozzle wall 75surrounding a portion of the nozzle channel 81 proximal to the throatsection 84. The second wall thickness 83 b can be the thickness of thenozzle wall 75 surrounding a portion of the nozzle channel 81 proximalto the nozzle opening 86. In this example, the first wall thickness 83 acan be greater than the second wall thickness 83 b.

The variations in the wall thickness 83, such as the difference inthickness between the first wall thickness 83 a and the second wallthickness 83 b, can provide a selective dampening or silencing effect todifferent portions of the nozzle 12 when the delivery device 1 isactuated. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7e , the first wallthickness 83 a can be greater than the second wall thickness 83 b toselectively minimize or dampen the sound of the pressurized gas 100 asthe pressurized gas 100 flows from the throat section 84 or theexpansion chamber 10 into the elongate portion 79 of the nozzle 12.

FIG. 7f illustrates another variation of the elongate portion 79 wherethe second wall thickness 83 b is greater than the first wall thickness83 a. In this variation, the nozzle wall 75 is thicker around theportion of the nozzle channel 81 proximal to the nozzle opening 86. Thesecond wall thickness 83 b can be greater than the first wall thickness83 a to selectively minimize or dampen the sound of the pressurized gas100 flowing out of the nozzle 12 or the delivery port 30. The nozzlewall 75 can be thicker around the nozzle opening 86 to reinforce thenoise dampening effect of the silencer 5.

FIG. 7g illustrates that a radially inner surface of the nozzle wall 75can have a coarse surface texture 89 along a portion of the innersurface. The coarse surface texture 89 of the inner nozzle wall 75 cantrap or impede the gas molecules comprising the pressurized gas 100. Thenozzle wall 75 can also have a smooth radially inner surface alongdifferent segments of the nozzle 12. The smooth inner surface of thenozzle wall 75 can accelerate the pressurized gas 100 faster than theportions of the nozzle 12 covered by coarse surface texture 89.

For example, as illustrated 7 g, the nozzle wall 75 proximal to thethroat section 84 can have a smooth inner wall surface to accelerate thepressurized gas 100 entering the nozzle 12 from the expansion chamber10. In this example, the inner surface of the nozzle wall 75 proximal tothe nozzle opening 86 can have the coarse surface texture 89 todecelerate or slow down the speed of the pressurized gas 100 as thepressurized gas 100 prepares the exit the nozzle 12 through the nozzleopening 86. Also in this example, the nozzle wall 75 having the smoothinner surface can be thicker than the nozzle wall 75 having the coarseinner surface (or having the coarse surface texture 89) since the speedand the sound attributed to the pressurized gas 100 decreases as thepressurized gas 100 flows toward the nozzle opening 86.

FIG. 8a is a perspective view of an example variation of a retainer 14.FIG. 8a illustrates that the retainer 14 can hold or secure the nozzle12 in place in the delivery device 1. The delivery device 1 can haveone, two, or more retainers 14 to hold or secure the nozzle 12 in thedelivery device 1. The retainer 14 can be made of polycarbonate. Theretainer 14 can have a retainer opening 85 and a retainer space 87.

FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of theretainer 14 of FIG. 8a taken along cross-section H-H. FIG. 8billustrates that the retainer opening 85 can be coupled or connected tothe inner housing 2 of the delivery device 1 and the retainer space 87can lock or secure the nozzle 12 to the inner housing 2.

FIG. 9a is a perspective view of an example variation of the silencercover 16 of the delivery device 1. The silencer cover 16 can secure orhouse the silencer packing material 18. The silencer cover 16 and thesilencer packing material 18 can combine to form the silencer 5 of thedelivery device 1.

FIG. 9a illustrates that the silencer cover 16 can have a silencerupstream end 91 a and a silencer downstream end 91 b. The silencerupstream end 91 a can be coupled or in contact with a portion of theretainer 14, the nozzle 12, the case 22, the inner housing, 2, or acombination thereof. In one variation, the silencer downstream end 91 bcan extend out longitudinally past the case opening 108 of the case 22.When the silencer downstream end 91 b extends out past the case opening108, the silencer downstream end 91 b can serve as the injection end 7of the delivery device 1. In another variation, the silencer downstreamend 91 b can be encompassed or surrounded by the case 22.

Pressurized gas 100 can flow or move from the silencer upstream end 91 ato the silencer downstream end 91 b when the delivery device 1 isactuated. The silencer cover 16 can be cylindrical, conical,frustoconical, or any combination thereof. For example, the silencerupstream end 91 a can be conical and the silencer downstream end 91 bcan be frustoconical.

The silencer upstream end 91 a and the silencer downstream end 91 b canhave openings defining the ends of the silencer cover 16. The opening atthe silencer downstream end 91 b can also serve as the delivery port 30.The silencer cover 16 can be made of or manufactured using a polymer, ametal, or a composite thereof. For example, the silencer cover 16 can bemade of or manufactured using high impact polystyrene, polyurethane, orany combination thereof.

The space defined or encompassed by the silencer cover 16, the silencerpacking material 18, or a combination thereof can be part of the gasflow passageway 101. For example, the space encompassed by the silencerpacking material 18 in between the silencer upstream end 91 a and thesilencer downstream end 91 b can be part of the gas flow passageway 101.

FIG. 9b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of thesilencer cover 16 taken along cross-section M-M. FIG. 9b illustratesthat the silencer cover 16 can have a silencer cover outer diameter 88,a silencer cover inner diameter 90, a silencer cover length 92, one ormore silencer windows 94, a silencer window width 96, a silencer windowlength 98, or any combination thereof. The silencer cover 16 can haveone, two, three, four, five, or more silencer windows 94.

The silencer cover outer diameter 88 can be between about 25 mm and 35mm or, more narrowly, between about 25 mm and 30 mm. For example, thesilencer cover outer diameter 88 can be about 29 mm or about 30 mm. Thesilencer cover inner diameter 90 can be between about 15 mm and 20 mmor, more narrowly, between about 16 mm and 18 mm. For example, thesilencer cover inner diameter 90 can be about 17 mm.

The silencer cover length 92 can be between about 50 mm and 100 mm or,more narrowly, between about 60 mm and 70 mm. For example, the silencercover length 92 can be about 64 mm, about 64.6 mm, or about 65 mm. Thesilencer window width 96 can be between about 5 mm and 10 mm or, morenarrowly, between about 6 mm and 9 mm. For example, the silencer windowwidth 96 can be about 7 mm or about 8 mm. The silencer window length 98can be between about 5 mm and 15 mm or, more narrowly, between about 8mm and 12 mm. For example, the silencer window length 98 can be about 10mm, about 11 mm, or about 12 mm. The volume of the silencer cover 16 canbe greater than the volume of the expansion chamber 10, the volume ofthe nozzle 12, or a combination thereof.

The silencer windows 94 (e.g., ports or open cells) can be locatedradially around the circumferential surface of the silencer cover 16.The silencer windows 94 can allow a portion of the pressurized gas 100to vent or escape when the pressurized gas 100 is flowing through thesilencer 5. The silencer windows 94 can be perforations, openings, orfenestrations shaped as circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, oblongsegments, diamonds, waves, or any combination thereof. The silencerwindows 94 can each be covered by one or more of the filters 8.

The first silencer window 94 a, the second silencer window 94 b, thethird silencer window 94 c, or a combination thereof can be arranged ina first circumferential alignment perpendicular to the devicelongitudinal axis 32 and around a circumference of the silencer cover16. The fourth silencer window 94 d, the fifth silencer window 94 e, thesixth silencer window 94 f, or a combination thereof can be arranged ina second circumferential alignment parallel to the first circumferentialalignment and also perpendicular to the device longitudinal axis 32.

In one variation, the first circumferential alignment of silencerwindows 94 can be diametrically opposed to the second circumferentialalignment of silencer windows 94. In another variation, the firstcircumferential alignment of silencer windows 94 can be adjacent oroverlapping with the second circumferential alignment of silencerwindows 94.

Two silencer windows can be located on diametrically opposed surfaces orsections of the silencer cover 16 to create a lateral flow channel. Thelateral flow channel can allow the pressurized gas 100 to flow laterallyout of the silencer cover 16 or silencer 5 from different sides of thesilencer cover 16 or silencer 5. The silencer cover 16 can have one,two, three, four, five, or more rows or columns of silencer windows 94.The number of silencer windows 94, the number of rows, the formation ofthe silencer windows 94, the length or height of the silencer windows94, or any combination thereof can minimize the sound when the deliverydevice 1 is actuated. The number of silencer windows 94, the arrangementof silencer windows 94, the length or height of the silencer windows 94,or any combination thereof can also decrease or increase the velocity ofthe pressurized gas 100 or the particles 216 flowing through thesilencer 5.

FIGS. 9c, 9d, and 9e illustrate that the silencer cover 16 can becovered, encompassed, or ringed by differently shaped silencer windows94. For example, FIG. 9c illustrates that the silencer windows 94 can beoval shaped. Also, for example, FIG. 9d illustrates that the silencerwindows 94 can be circular shaped. Moreover, FIG. 9e illustrates thatthe silencer windows 94 can be shaped as squares or be in a meshconfiguration. Although not shown in FIGS. 9c to 9e , the silencerwindows 94 can be shaped as diamonds, polygons, sinusoidal openings orslits, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 9f illustrates one example arrangement of the silencer windows 94around the circumferential surface of the silencer cover 16. Forexample, FIG. 9f shows that the silencer windows 94 can be lessconcentrated at the silencer upstream end 91 a and more concentrated atthe silencer downstream end 91 b. Such a configuration can allow thepressurized gas 100 to maintain or increase its velocity and thevelocity of the particles 216 when the pressurized gas 100 or theparticles 216 first enter the silencer 5 and decrease the velocity ofthe pressurized gas 100 or the particles 216 as the pressurized gas 100and the particles 216 flow down the body of the silencer 5. Such aconfiguration can also minimize or dampen the sound emitted by thedelivery device 1 near the device delivery opening 30 when the deliverydevice 1 is actuated.

FIG. 9g illustrates another example arrangement of the silencer windows94 around the circumferential surface of the silencer cover 16. Forexample, FIG. 9g shows that the silencer windows 94 can be moreconcentrated at the silencer upstream end 91 a and less concentrated atthe silencer downstream end 91 b. This configuration can allow thesilencer 5 to increase the velocity of the pressurized gas 100, theparticles 216, or a combination thereof as the pressurized gas 100, theparticles 216, or a combination thereof flows or travels down the bodyof the silencer 5.

FIG. 9h illustrates that the silencer windows 94 can be rectangularwindows or perforations parallel to each other and the devicelongitudinal axis 32. These rectangular windows can be located inbetween the silencer upstream end 91 a and the silencer downstream end91 b.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example variation ofthe silencer 5. FIG. 10 illustrates that the silencer packing material18 can cover or encompass a radially outer surface of the silencer cover16. FIG. 10 also illustrates that the silencer packing material 18 cancover or encompass a radially inner surface of the silencer cover 16.The silencer packing material 18 can attach to the inner surface of thesilencer cover 16 by an adhesive. The silencer packing material 18 candampen or reduce the noise emitted or produced by delivery device 1 whenthe delivery device 1 is actuated. The silencer packing material 18 canbe composed of a foam or foam like material. The silencer packingmaterial 18 can be composed of foam comprising porous polyurethane.

The silencer packing material 18 can be injection molded on to thesilencer cover 16. The silencer packing material 18 can bedouble-injection molded so that a second polymer layer is injected overa first polymer layer. The silencer packing material 18 can also beinjected into the silencer cover 16. The silencer packing material 18can be injected into the silencer cover 16 to cover or encompass theradially inner surface of the silencer cover 16. The silencer packingmaterial 18 can be injected into the one or more silencer windows 94.The silencer packing material 18 injected into or on the silencer cover16 can be heat cured and allowed to cool to solidify the silencerpacking material 18. The curing can be performed by UV exposure, air orgas exposure, or a combination thereof. The silencer cover 16 can alsobe produced by injection molding.

The silencer packing material 18 can also be spray coated onto theradially inner or outer surfaces of the silencer cover 16. The silencerpacking material 18 can be formed from one solid piece of flexible orrigid foam die-cut from a larger piece of solid foam. The silencerpacking material 18 can be made of other types of polymers includingother types of urethanes or thermoplastics.

The case 22 can have a silencer cavity configured to hold the silencercover 16, the silencer packing material 18, or a combination thereof.The silencer cavity can be defined by an outer surface of the silencercover 16. A solid foam serving as the silencer packing material 18 canbe slidably inserted into the silencer cavity. The solid foam can beinserted into the silencer cavity and flexibly deformed when inside thesilencer cavity. The silencer cavity can, for example, be closed on allsides except for an intake port to receive a liquid precursor of thesilencer packing material 18 and an outlet port to vent pressure whenthe silencer packing material 18 is injected into the silencer cavity.

The silencer packing material 18 can cover or surround a portion of theouter radial or circumferential surface of the nozzle 12, the expansionchamber 10, the cassette housing 204, or a combination thereof. Forexample, the silencer packing material 18 can cover the outer wall 77 bof the nozzle 12.

The silencer packing material 18 can also surround, cover, or encompassthe inner radial surface of the nozzle 12, the expansion chamber 10, ora combination thereof. For example, the silencer packing material 18 canalso be coated onto the inner wall 77 a of the nozzle 12. The silencerpacking material 18 can also be placed between the inner wall 77 a andthe outer wall 77 b of the nozzle 12.

The silencer packing material 18 can have a silencer packing width 106or thickness. The silencer packing width 106 can be between about 0.01mm and 2 mm. For example, the silencer packing width 106 can be about1.8 mm.

The silencer 5, including the silencer packing material 18, can act as avibration dampener and sound barrier for a portion of the deliverydevice 1. The silencer packing material 18 can minimize the noise orsound produced when the delivery device 1 is actuated. The pores of thepolyurethane forming the silencer packing material 18 can allow aportion of the pressurized gas 100 to escape after the delivery device 1is actuated. The pores in the silencer packing material 18 can becircular, square, rectangle, diamond, oval, triangular, or anycombination thereof. The escape of the pressurized gas 100 through thepores of the silencer packing material 18 can reduce the build-up of gaspressure in portions of the delivery device 1 such as the nozzle 12, theexpansion chamber 10, the silencer 5, or a combination thereof. Thesilencer packing width 106 can be greater than the width of the nozzlewall 75, the width of the expansion chamber 100 wall, or a combination.

The delivery device 1 can emit a sound of around 85 dB when the silencerpacking material 18 covers the inside or outside surface of a devicesegment of the delivery device 1 such as a portion of the nozzle 12, theexpansion chamber 10, the silencer cover 16, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example variation of the spring 20.The spring 20 can be located at the handle end 3 of the delivery device1. The spring. 20 can be coupled to the housing tip 52 at one end of thespring 20 and be coupled with the inner housing 2 at the other end ofthe spring 20.

The spring 20 can be a substantially helical spring. The spring 20 canbe a metallic spring, a polymer-based spring, a shape memory spring suchas a Nitinol spring, or any combination thereof. For example, the spring20 can be made of nickel coated stainless steel. When the deliverydevice 1 is in an unactuated or resting configuration, the spring 20 canbias, expand, or apply a spring force to the inner housing 2 of thedelivery device 1. When the spring 20 applies the spring force to theinner housing 2, the inner housing 2 can then bias, press, or force thetrigger 24 in the direction of the safety interlock 114. The safetyinterlock 114 can be engaged when the trigger seat 208 of the trigger 24contacts an impeding element of the safety interlock 114 such as thetriangular impeding element 29, the notch 15, the latch 17, or anycombination thereof. The spring 20 can keep the safety interlock 114engaged with the trigger 24 by biasing or applying the spring force tothe inner housing 2 in the direction of the injection end 7 or thedelivery port 30.

In one variation, the safety interlock 114 can be disengaged or unlockedwhen the inner housing 2 is translated in the direction of the handleend 3. The inner housing 2 can be translated in the direction of thehandle end 3 when the silencer cover 16 or the case 22 of the deliverydevice is pressed against the treatment surface 11. During thistranslation process, the user can be holding the case 22 of the deliverydevice 1 with one hand. The user can translate the inner housing 2 inthe direction of the handle end 3 by placing the silencer cover 16 orthe case 22 on the treatment surface 11 and pushing or pressing the case22 in the direction of the treatment surface 11. The spring 20 can becompressed when the inner housing 2 is biased or forced in the directionof the handle end 3 of the delivery device 1. The safety interlock 114can also be disengaged or unlocked when the case 22 is translated in thedirection of the treatment surface 11 by the user. The safety interlock114 can be disengaged or unlocked when the impeding element of thesafety interlock 114 translated in the direction of the treatmentsurface 11 along with the case 22 and the trigger 24 becomes unimpededor unhindered by the impeding element.

FIG. 12a is a perspective view of an example variation of the case 22.FIG. 12a illustrates that the case 22 can be the external shell of thedelivery device 1. The case 22 can allow a user to actuate the deliverydevice 1 with one hand. The case 22 can allow the user to actuate thedelivery device 1 by holding the handle end 3 of the delivery device 1with one hand and directing the injection end 7 of the delivery device 1at the treatment surface 11. For example, in one variation, the user cancover a portion of the treatment surface 11 with the silencer cover 16or an end of the case 22 distal to the handle end 3. In anothervariation, the user can hover the silencer cover 16 over the treatmentsurface 11 without physically contacting the treatment surface 11.

The user can then push the case 22 or apply a longitudinal force to thecase 22 toward the treatment surface 11. The user can push the case 22using the same hand of the user holding the case 22. Concurrent withpushing the case 22, the inner housing 2 of the delivery device 1 cantranslate in a longitudinal direction opposite or away from thetreatment surface 11 or the pushing force. This translation of the innerhousing 2 can disengage of the safety interlock 114 to permit the userto actuate the trigger 24. The user can actuate the trigger 24 using oneor more fingers of the hand holding the case 22. The user can actuatethe trigger 24 by depressing the trigger 24 radially inward toward thedevice longitudinal axis 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 12a , the handle end 3 of the case 22 can beergonomically designed to allow the user to hold the case 22, press thecase 22, and actuate the trigger 24 using one hand. The case 22 can beshaped as a pen. The diameter of the case 22 can be tapered radiallyinward from the injection end 7 to the handle end 3. The case 22 can bemanufactured or composed of high impact polystyrene. The case 22 can befree of edges.

The case 22 can have a protective ridge or rim surrounding a portion ofthe trigger 24. The protective ridge or rim can be a V-shaped ridge 112as illustrated in FIG. 12a . The protective ridge or rim can preventaccidental actuation of the trigger 24.

FIG. 12b is a cross-sectional view of an example variation of the case22 taken along cross-section V-V. FIG. 12b illustrates that the case 22can have a case side opening 110 and a case opening 108. The caseopening 108 can allow a portion of the silencer cover 16 to extend outof the case 22. The case side opening 110 can be located on a side orcircumferential surface of the case 22. The case side opening 110 canact as a vent or port for relieving some of the pressurized gas 100 fromthe nozzle 12, the expansion chamber 10, the particle cassette 200, or acombination thereof. The case side opening 110 can prevent gas pressurefrom being built up inside the case 22 beyond a predetermined pressurethreshold. For example, the case side opening 110 can prevent the gaspressure inside the case 22 from exceeding 40 bar of pressure, 50 bar ofpressure, or 100 bar of pressure.

FIG. 13a is a side cross-sectional view of an example variation of thetrigger 24. FIG. 13a illustrates that the trigger top 27 can be slopedor angled relative to the device longitudinal axis 32. FIG. 13a alsoillustrates that the trigger pin 48 can be coupled or affixed directlyunderneath the user contact surface 25. The portion of the user contactsurface 25 distal to the stepped-down portion 116 of the trigger 24 canbe flush or approximately level with the V-shaped ridge 112 (see FIG.12a ) of the case 22.

FIG. 13b is a perspective view of an example variation of an undersideor radially inward side of the trigger 24 of FIG. 13a . FIG. 13billustrates that the trigger 24 can have one or more catches 119extending from the underside or radially inward side of the trigger 24.The one or more catches 119 can catch onto or engage with an innersurface feature of the inner housing 2, the case 22, or a combinationthereof to prevent the trigger 24 from separating from the remainder ofthe delivery device 1. The distal ends of the catches 119 can be curvedor hooked to allow the catches 119 to catch onto or engage with theinner housing 2, the case 22, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 14a is a perspective view of an example variation of the particlecassette 200. FIG. 14a illustrates that the particle cassette 200 canhave a cassette housing 204 and one or more cassette ports 213. Thecassette housing 204 can be substantially cylindrical as shown in FIG.14a . In other variations, the cassette housing 204 can be conical,frustoconical, cuboidal, or a combination thereof.

The cassette housing 204 can have a cassette housing width 212 and acassette housing height 214. The cassette housing width 212 can be about5.00 mm to about 15.0 mm. The cassette housing width 212 can also beabout 10.0 mm to about 12.5 mm. For example, the cassette housing width212 can be about 11.0 mm or 11.1 mm. The cassette housing width 212 canbe a diameter of the cassette housing 204 when the cassette housing 204is substantially cylindrical or conical. The cassette housing 204 canhave multiple cassette widths 212 when the cassette housing 204 isfrustoconical.

The cassette housing height 214 can be a thickness of the cassettehousing 204 along a longitudinal axis of the cassette housing 204. Thecassette housing height 214 can be from about 2.00 mm to about 5.00 mmor, more narrowly, from about 3.50 mm to about 4.00 mm. For example, thecassette housing height 214 can be about 3.79 mm or about 4.00 mm.

The cassette ports 213 can be openings defined by the cassette housing204. For example, when the cassette housing 204 is a cylinder, thecassette ports 213 can be the openings at the ends of the cylinder. Thecassette housing 204 can have at least two cassette ports 213. Forexample, the cassette housing 204 can have a cassette port 213 at afirst end of the cassette housing 204 and another cassette port 213 at asecond end of the cassette housing 204. The first end of the cassettehousing 204 can be an upstream end of the cassette housing 204 and thesecond end of the cassette housing. 204 can be a downstream end of thecassette housing 204.

The cassette housing 204 can be housed or secured by the expansionchamber 10. For example, the cassette housing 204 can be housed orsecured by the cassette holding portion 69 of the expansion chamber 10.In another variation, the cassette housing 204 can be coupled or incontact with the expansion chamber 10 at the first or upstream end ofthe cassette housing 204 and coupled or in contact with the nozzle 12 atthe second or downstream end of the cassette housing 204. For example,the cassette port 213 at the first or upstream end of the cassettehousing 204 can be coupled to, in fluid communication with, or alignedwith the second chamber opening 70 b of the expansion chamber 10 and thecassette port 213 at the first or downstream end of the cassette housing204 can be coupled to, in fluid communication with, or aligned with theflow convergent section 80 of the nozzle 12.

The cassette housing 204 can be made of a polymer, a metal, or acomposite thereof. The cassette housing 204 can be made of a highmolecular weight polymer resin. The cassette housing 204 can be made ofa copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The cassette housing204 can be made of an EVA copolymer comprising monomers of ethylene andvinyl acetate (VA). The cassette housing 204 can be made of an EVAcopolymer with about 18% to about 28% by weight of VA and the remainderbeing ethylene. The cassette housing 204 can also be made of an EVAcopolymer with about 18% to about 20% by weight of VA and the remainderbeing ethylene. The cassette housing 204 can also be made of an EVAcopolymer with about 18% by weight of VA and about 82% by weight ofethylene.

The weight percent of VA in the EVA copolymer used to make the cassettehousing 204 is an important factor in the construction of the deliverydevice 1. As the VA weight percentage increases relative to ethylene,the VA disrupts the polyethylene crystallinity, which can lower themelting point, modulus, and hardness of the cassette housing 204. Theweight percentage of VA in the EVA copolymer can also make the copolymermore polar, which can improve the adhesive properties of the copolymerto polar substrates such as films or membranes. For example, thecassette housing 204 can be made of an EVA copolymer with about 18% toabout 28% by weight of VA in order to improve the adhesion of thecassette housing 204 to a cassette membrane 210 (see FIGS. 14b-14d ).

The cassette housing 204 can also be made of an EVA copolymer with a lowmelt index. The cassette housing 204 can also be made of an EVAcopolymer with a low melt index and a high softening temperature or ringand ball temperature. The cassette housing 204 can be made of a low meltindex EVA copolymer with about 18% to about 28% by weight of VA. Thecassette housing 204 can be made of a low melt index EVA copolymer withabout 18% to about 28% by weight of VA and a high softening temperature.

Table 1 below lists thermal properties of low melt index EVA copolymersof different VA compositions. The softening temperature or ring and balltemperature of a high molecular weight polymer resin can be a reflectionof the differential scanning calorimetry melting point and the polymerviscosity. For example, as indicated in Table 1, an EVA copolymer resincan have a VA percentage of about 18% to about 28% by weight, a meltingpoint of about 67° C. to about 75° C., and a softening temperature orring and ball temperature of about 110° C. to about 171° C.

The cassette housing 204 can be made of an EVA copolymer with about 18%by weight of VA, a melting point of between 60° C. and 80° C., asoftening temperature of above 100° C., and a freezing point of between40° C. and 50° C.

The cassette housing 204 can also be made of an EVA copolymer with about28% by weight of VA, a melting point of between 60° C. and 80° C., asoftening temperature of above 100° C., and a freezing point of between40° C. and 50° C.

The cassette housing 204 can be made of an EVA copolymer between about18% to about 28% by weight of VA and with a melting point of between 60°C. and 80° C., a softening temperature of above 100° C., and a freezingpoint of between 40° C. and 50° C.

TABLE 1 Thermal Properties of Low Melt Index EVA Copolymers % Vinyl MeltIndex Melt Softening Temp. Acetate (decigram/ Point (Ring and BallTemp.) (weight) min) (° C.) (° C.) 40 57 47 104 32 43 63 110 28 3 75 17128 43 74 110 18 2.5 67 188 12 2.5 74 199 9 2 81 193

Table 2 below lists thermal properties of high melt index EVA copolymersof different VA compositions. As indicated in Table 2, EVA copolymerswith a high melt index can have a low softening temperature.

% Vinyl Melt Index Melt Freeze Softening Temp. Acetate (decigram/ PointPt. (Ring and Ball Temp.) (weight) min) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) 28 400 6039 82 18 500 73 53 88

The entire particle cassette 200, including the cassette housing 204 andthe cassette membrane 210 covering a cassette port 213 of the particlecassette 200, can be heated to a softening temperature at or above 100°C. For example, the entire particle cassette 200 can be heated to asoftening temperature between 100° C. and 188° C. Heating the cassettehousing 204 and the cassette membrane 210 to between 100° C. and 188° C.can allow the cassette housing 204 to melt and form permanent bonds tothe polymers comprising the cassette membrane 210. For example, the EVAcopolymer of the cassette housing 204 can bond to the polycarbonate, thepolyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the polyether ether ketone (PEEK)of the cassette membrane 210. The particle cassette 200, including theheat sealed cassette housing 204 and the cassette membrane 210, can thenbe cooled or allowed to cool to below the freezing point of the EVAcopolymer to allow the bonds to set. The particle cassette 200 can becooled to between about 40° C. to about 50° C. The particle cassette 200can also be cooled to between about 37° C. to about 45° C. The particlecassette 200 can also be cooled to about room temperature or about 37°C.

FIG. 14b is a perspective view of another example variation of theparticle cassette 200. FIG. 14b illustrates that the particle cassette200 can have a cassette membrane 210 covering or sealing a cassette port213 of the particle cassette 200. The cassette membrane 210 can coverone or more cassette ports 213 at the first or upstream end of thecassette housing 204 and one or more cassette ports 213 at the second ordownstream end of the cassette housing 204.

The cassette membrane 210 can be a thin layer or film. The cassettemembrane 210 can be made of polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or any combination thereof.

In one variation, the cassette membrane 210 can be made from 100%polycarbonate. In another variation, the cassette membrane 210 can bemade from 33.3% PET, 33.3% PEEK, and 33.3% polycarbonate. In yet anothervariation, the cassette membrane 210 can be made from 50% PET or PEEKand 50% polycarbonate. The cassette membrane 210 can also be made from100% PEEK. The cassette membrane 210 can also be made from 100% PET.

FIG. 14c is a perspective view of another example variation of theparticle cassette 200. FIG. 14c illustrates that the cassette membrane210 can cover or seal the entire end of the cassette housing 204including the cassette port 213 and the portions of the cassette housing204 encompassing the circumference of the cassette port 213. Thecassette housing 204 can be covered or sealed by the cassette membrane210 as depicted in FIG. 14c at one end, such as the first or upstreamend of the cassette housing 204, and be covered or sealed by thecassette membrane 210 as depicted in FIG. 14b or FIG. 14c at anotherend, such as the second or downstream end of the cassette housing 204.Covering or sealing more or less of the surface area of the cassetteports 213 or the ends of the cassette housing 204 can alter the burstpressure resistance or membrane strength of the cassette membrane 210.The burst pressure resistance or the membrane strength of the cassettemembrane 210 can be the amount of energy or burst pressure needed topuncture or cause a breach in the cassette membrane 210.

The cassette membrane 210 can be breached or punctured when the pressureof the pressurized gas 100 or the energy delivered by the pressurizedgas 100 exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, the pressurizedgas 100 can breach or puncture the cassette membrane 210 when thepressure of the pressurized gas 100 exceeds between about 10 bar and 40bar. In another variation, the pressurized gas 100 can breach orpuncture the cassette membrane 210 when the pressure of the pressurizedgas 100 exceeds about 40 bar. The pressurized gas 100 can breach orpuncture the cassette membrane 210 when the pressure of the pressurizedgas 100 is between about 40 bar and 100 bar. The pressurized gas 100 canbreach or puncture the cassette membrane 210 when the pressure of thepressurized gas 100 exceeds about 100 bar.

FIG. 14d is a perspective view of another example variation of theparticle cassette 200. FIG. 14d illustrates that the cassette membrane210 can cover or seal the entire end of the cassette housing 204 and aportion of the outer radial wall of the cassette housing 204. Forexample, the cassette membrane 210 can cover or seal the entire end ofthe cassette housing 204 and between about 1.00 mm to about 3.00 mm ofthe radial wall of the cassette housing 204 along the cassette housinglongitudinal axis. The cassette housing 204 can be covered or sealed bythe cassette membrane 210 as depicted in FIG. 14d at one end, such asthe first or upstream end of the cassette housing 204, and be covered orsealed by the cassette membrane 210 as depicted in FIG. 14b , FIG. 14c ,or FIG. 14d at another end, such as the second or downstream end of thecassette housing 204.

FIG. 14e is a perspective view of another example variation of theparticle cassette 200. FIG. 14e illustrates that the cassette membrane210 can cover or seal the entire cassette housing 204. In thisvariation, the cassette membrane 210 can act as a wrapper to wrap orseal the entire cassette housing 204. In the variations illustrated inFIGS. 14b to 14e , the cassette membrane 210 can be sealed, adhered, oraffixed to the cassette housing 204 by placing the cassette membrane 210in the desired position or arrangement relative to the cassette housing204 and heating the cassette membrane 210 and the cassette housing 204to a softening temperature. The soften temperature can be around 150° C.For example, when the cassette housing 204 is an EVA copolymer of VA andethylene, the softening temperature can be around 150° C. or more. Whenheated, the EVA copolymer of the cassette housing 204 can bond to thepolymer of the cassette membrane 210, such as the polycarbonate. Theheated cassette housing 204 and the cassette membrane 210 can then becooled or allowed to cool to between about 37° C. to about 50° C. or,more narrowly, between about 40° C. and 50° C.

FIG. 14f is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the particlecassette 200 of FIG. 14b taken along cross-section W-W. FIG. 14fillustrates that the cassette housing 204 and the cassette membrane 210can form a particle reservoir 209. The particle reservoir 209 can be aspace or cavity enclosed or encompassed by the cassette housing 204 andthe cassette membrane 210. The particle reservoir 209 can be a source ofor a resting place for the particles 216. The particles 216 are shown inFIG. 14f as fine grains of powder or particulates.

The particles 216 can be therapeutics including pharmaceuticals,biologics, genetic material, or a combination thereof in particulate orpowdered from. The particles 216 can be freeze-dried or lyophilizedchemical compounds, molecules, biological material, or a combinationthereof. The particles 216 can be desiccated or encapsulated chemicalcompounds, molecules, biological material, or a combination thereof. Forexample, the particles 216 can be powdered Lidocaine or anotheranesthetic. The particles 216 can also be powdered, desiccated, orlyophilized insulin, epinephrine, adrenaline, or a combination thereof.

When the cassette housing 204 is substantially a cylinder, the particlereservoir 209 can be a smaller cylindrical space enclosed or encompassedby the walls of the cylinder. In one variation, the particle reservoir209 can have a reservoir diameter of about 4.00 mm to about 10.0 mm. Theparticle reservoir 209 can also have a reservoir diameter of about 5.00mm to about 7.00 mm. For example, the reservoir diameter can be about6.00 mm or 6.10 mm.

The cassette membrane 210 can have a membrane thickness 207. Themembrane thickness 207 of the cassette membrane 210 can be about 10.0microns. The membrane thickness 207 of the cassette membrane 210 can befrom about 10.0 microns to about 30.0 microns. The membrane thickness207 can also be from about 15.0 microns to about 24.0 microns. Forexample, the membrane thickness 207 of the cassette membrane 210 can beabout 15.0 microns, 20.0 microns, or 25.0 microns.

FIG. 14g is a cross-sectional view of another variation of the particlecassette 200 of FIG. 14b taken along cross-section W-W. FIG. 14gillustrates that the particle cassette 200 can have a divider 211dividing the particle cassette 200 or the cassette housing 204 into twoor more particle reservoirs 209. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14g, the divider 211 can divide the particle cassette 200 into a firstparticle reservoir 209 a and a second particle reservoir 209 b. Althoughtwo particle reservoirs 209 are shown in FIG. 14g , it is contemplatedthat multiple dividers 211 can divide up the particle cassette 200 intothree, four, five, or more particle reservoirs 209 depending on thecombination of therapeutics or pharmaceuticals desired by the treatment.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14g , the particle reservoirs 209 aand 209 b can be halved instances of the particle reservoir of FIG. 14f. The divider 211 can be formed using an extension, divot, or concavityof the cassette housing 204. The divider 211 can also be formed usingthe same material as the cassette membrane 210. The divider 211 can alsohave a thickness similar to the membrane thickness 207 of the cassettemembrane 210.

In the example variation shown in FIG. 14g , the first particlereservoir 209 a can be used to store and eventually deliver a first-typeparticle 216 a (see FIGS. 18, 19 a, and 19 b) and the second particlereservoir 209 b can be used to store and eventually deliver asecond-type particle 216 b (see FIGS. 18, 19 a, and 19 b). Thefirst-type particle 216 a and the second-type particle 216 b can bedifferent types of therapeutics such as different types ofpharmaceuticals, biologics, genetic material, or a combination thereof.For example, the first-type particle 216 a can be a lyophilized vaccineand the second-type particle 216 b can be a vaccine adjuvant.

FIG. 14h is a cross-sectional view of another variation of the particlecassette 200 of FIG. 14b taken along cross-section W-W. FIG. 14hillustrates that three instances of the cassette membrane 210 can formanother variation of the first particle reservoir 209 a and the secondparticle reservoir 209 b. As shown in FIG. 14h , one of the cassettemembranes 210 can act as a middle layer dividing the cassette housing204 along the longitudinal axis of the cassette housing 204. In thisvariation, the cassette membrane 210 serving as the middle layer or thetransverse divider can have a different membrane thickness 207 than thecassette membranes 210 covering or sealing the ends of the cassettehousing 204.

In the variation shown in FIG. 14h , the particle cassette 200 can allowthe first-type particle 216 a to mix with the second-type particle 216 bin either the first particle reservoir 209 a or the second particlereservoir 209 b.

FIG. 15a is a perspective view of a variation of a male cassette part 26of the particle cassette 200. FIG. 15 illustrates that the male cassettepart 26 can have a male base portion 118 a and a male thread portion 118b. The male base portion 118 a can be covered or sealed by the cassettemembrane 210. When the male base portion 118 is covered or sealed by thecassette membrane 210, the particles 216 can then be introduced orplaced inside the particle reservoir 209 created by the interior of themale cassette part 26 and the cassette membrane 210.

FIG. 15b is a side view of a variation of the male cassette part 26 ofthe particle cassette 200. FIG. 15 illustrates that the male cassettepart 26 can have a male cassette outer diameter 120 and a male cassetteinner diameter 122. The male cassette outer diameter 120 can be greaterthan the male cassette inner diameter 122. In one variation, the malecassette outer diameter 120 can be equivalent to the cassette housingwidth 212. For example, the male cassette outer diameter 120 can beabout 5.00 mm to about 15.0 mm. The male cassette outer diameter 120 canalso be about 10.0 mm to about 12.5 mm. For example, the male cassetteouter diameter 120 can be about 11.0 mm or 11.1 mm.

The male cassette inner diameter 122 can be equivalent to the reservoirdiameter. For example, the male cassette inner diameter 122 can be about4.00 mm to about 10.0 mm. The male cassette inner diameter 122 can alsohave a reservoir diameter of about 5.00 mm to about 7.00 mm. Forexample, the male cassette inner diameter 122 can be about 6.00 mm or6.10 mm. The male cassette part 26 can be composed of or made from thesame material as the cassette housing 204.

FIG. 16a is a perspective view of a variation of a female cassette part28 of the particle cassette 200. The male cassette part 26 and thefemale cassette part 28 can be designed or configured so that the malecassette part 26 can be coupled or screwed into the female cassette part28. The male cassette part 26 and the female cassette part 28 cancombine to form the cassette housing 204. The female cassette part 28can be made from the same material as the male cassette part 26, thecassette housing 204, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 16b is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the female cassettepart 28 of FIG. 16a taken along cross-section K-K. FIG. 16b illustratesthat the female cassette part 28 can have a female thread portion 124 aand a female port 124 b. The female thread portion 124 a can be areceiving thread or a counterpart thread to the male thread portion 118b. The female cassette part 28 can be coupled to the male cassette part26 by screwing the male thread portion 118 b into the female threadportion 124 a. The female cassette part 28 can also be heat sealed orcoupled through an adhesive to the male cassette part 26 in combinationwith or in lieu of the thread coupling.

The female port 124 b can be one of the cassette ports 213. FIG. 16billustrates that the female cassette part 28 can have a female cassetteouter diameter 126 and a female cassette inner diameter 128. The femalecassette outer diameter 126 can be equivalent to the male cassette outerdiameter 120 or the cassette housing width 212.

The female cassette inner diameter 128 can be equivalent to the malecassette inner diameter 122 or the reservoir diameter. The female port124 b can be sealed or covered by the cassette membrane 210. When thefemale port 124 b of the female cassette part 28 is covered or sealed bythe cassette membrane 210, the female cassette part 28 can be used as acap to cap off the male cassette part 26 comprising the particles 216 inthe particle reservoir 209.

In another variation, particles 216 can be introduced or placed into thereservoir 209 created by the female cassette part 28 and the cassettemembrane 210. In this variation, the female cassette part 28 can bescrewed on or into the male cassette part 26 comprising additionalinstances of the particles 216, different types of particles 216, or noparticles 216.

The particle cassette 200 can be implemented using the female cassettepart 28 and the male cassette part 26 to allow one side or end of thefemale cassette part 28 and one side or end of the male cassette part 26to be sealed or covered by the cassette membrane 210. The particles 216can then be introduced to the particle reservoir 209 in the femalecassette part 28, the particle reservoir 209 in the male cassette part26, or the particle reservoirs 209 in both of the male cassette part 26and the female cassette part 28 once the heat sealed cassette membrane210 and cassette parts (the male cassette part 26, the female cassettepart 28, or a combination thereof) have cooled from the softeningtemperature of the polymer used to construct the cassette parts (such asthe EVA copolymer) to room temperature or a temperature which is notharmful to the particles 216. Constructing the cassette housing 204 byengaging or coupling the female cassette part 28 with the male cassettepart 26 can allow a manufacturer or user of the delivery device 1 tointroduce the particles 216 to the particle cassette 200 withoutsubjecting the particles 216 to high temperatures.

FIG. 17a illustrates that the pressurized gas 100 can breach or burstopen the cassette membrane 210 to deliver or propel the particles 216from the particle reservoir 209 to nozzle 12 and eventually to thetreatment surface 11. FIG. 17a illustrates that the pressurized gas 100can create one or more membrane breaches 218 in the cassette membrane210 covering the cassette ports 213. The membrane breaches 218 caninvolve tears, rips, disfiguration, or displacements of the cassettemembrane 210. For example, FIG. 17a illustrates that the membrane breach210 can involve a bifold rupturing of the intact cassette membrane 210.Although not shown in FIG. 17a , it is contemplated that the membranebreach 210 can also involve a circular rupturing, a three-foldrupturing, a four-fold rupturing, or a combination there of the cassettemembrane 210.

FIG. 17a illustrates that the particles 216 can be carried by thepressurized gas 100 through the burst cassette membrane 210 out of theparticle cassette 200.

It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that theballs and squares used to depict the particles 216 in FIGS. 17a, 17b ,18, 19 a, 19 b, and 20 are for illustrative purposes only and are not toscale or shaped according to their true geometries.

The pressurized gas 100 can create the membrane breach 218 in thecassette membrane 210 when the pressure of the pressurized gas 100exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, the pressurized gas 100can create the membrane breach 218 in the cassette membrane 210 when thepressure of the pressurized gas 100 exceeds 10 bar. In other variations,the pressurized gas 100 can create the membrane breach 218 in thecassette membrane 210 when the pressure of the pressurized gas 100exceeds 20 bar, 30 bar, or 40 bar. In yet another variation, thepressurized gas 100 can create the membrane breach 218 in the cassettemembrane 210 when the pressure of the pressurized gas 100 exceeds 100bar. As illustrated in FIG. 17a , when the pressurized gas 100 hascreated a membrane breach 218 in the cassette membranes 210 coveringboth the upstream and the downstream ends of the particle cassette 200,the particle reservoir 209 can become part of the gas flow passageway101.

When the delivery device 1 is actuated, greater than 40% of theparticles 216 stored in the particle reservoir 209 can be delivered bythe pressurized gas 100 to the treatment surface 11. Moreover, when thedelivery device 1 is actuated, between 40-85% of the particles 216stored in the particle reservoir 209 can be delivered by the pressurizedgas 100 to the treatment surface 11. In addition, when the deliverydevice 1 is actuated, greater than 70% of the particles 216 stored inthe particle reservoir 209 can be delivered by the pressurized gas 100to the treatment surface 11.

The delivery device 1 can deliver particles 216 to the treatment surface11 at such yields due to the advantages provided by the particlecassette 200 comprising a polycarbonate cassette membrane 210 coveringor sealing a cassette housing, 204 comprising an EVA copolymer having18-28% by weight of VA.

FIG. 17b illustrates that the cassette membrane 210 can have a pre-cutor pre-perforated section 219 which separates when the pressurized gas100 exceeds a burst pressure. The pre-perforated section 218 can be apart of the cassette membrane 210 and can separate from the remainder ofthe cassette membrane 210 when in contact with the pressurized gas 100.

The pre-perforated section 219 can have a section diameter. The sectiondiameter can be equivalent to the male cassette inner diameter 122, thefemale cassette inner diameter 128, or a combination thereof. Thesection diameter can also be smaller than the male cassette innerdiameter 122, the female cassette inner diameter 128, or a combinationthereof. The pre-perforated section 218 can be located in the center ofthe cassette membrane 210. The pre-perforated section 218 can also belocated in any part of the cassette membrane 210 in the gas flowpassageway 101.

FIG. 18 illustrates that the pressurized gas 100 can create one or morebreaches 218 in the cassette membrane 218 covering or sealing the firstparticle reservoir 209 a and the second particle reservoir 209 b. In thevariation depicted in FIG. 18, the first particle reservoir 209 a cancomprise the first-type particle 216 a and the second particle reservoir209 b can comprise the second-type particle 216 b. The two particlereservoirs 209 can be created by the divider 211. The divider 211 canseparate the first-type particle 216 a from the second-type particle 216b.

Although the variation shown in FIG. 18 shows the divider 211 as stayingin tact when the pressurized gas 100 breaches the cassette membrane 210,it is contemplated that the pressurized gas 100 can also breach thedivider 211 and the first-type particle 216 a can mix with thesecond-type particle 216 b when the divider 211 is breached. The divider211 can be breached in the same manner as the cassette membrane 210.Also, the variation depicted in FIG. 18 shows two streams of thepressurized gas 100 hitting the cassette membrane 210. In thisvariation, the two streams of the pressurized gas 100 can be createdwhen the gas flow passageway 101 is split into two by the expansionchamber 10, the gas supply 4, or a combination thereof.

The pressurized gas 100 can deliver or propel the first-type particle216 a and the second-type particle 216 b into the nozzle 12. The nozzle12 can then be used to mix or combine the first-type particle 216 a withthe second-type particle 216 b. In this variation, the delivery device 1can deliver a mix of the first-type particle 216 a and the second-typeparticle 216 b to the treatment surface 11.

Also, in this variation, when the pressurized gas 100 has breached theportions of the cassette membranes 210 covering the upstream anddownstream ends of the first particle reservoir 209 a and the secondparticle reservoir 209 b, the first particle reservoir 209 a and thesecond particle reservoir 209 b can become a part of the gas flowpassageway 101.

FIGS. 19a and 19b illustrate that the particle cassette 200 can bedesigned or configured so that particles 216 of different types can bedelivered or propelled to the treatment surface 11 in sequential order.As shown in FIG. 19a , the first particle reservoir 209 a can be coveredor sealed with a first membrane 210 a and the second particle reservoir209 b can be covered or sealed with a second membrane 210 b. The secondmembrane 210 b can be composed or made of a different materialcomposition or membrane thickness 207 than the first membrane 210 a. Forexample, the second membrane 210 can be thicker than the first membrane210 a or be constructed of a higher molecular weight polymer than thefirst membrane 210 a. As a more specific example, the first membrane 210a can be constructed or composed of PET and the second membrane 210 bcan be constructed or composed of polycarbonate.

FIG. 19a illustrates that the pressurized gas 100, when first releasedfrom the gas supply 4, can immediately create a membrane breach 218 inthe first membrane 210 a and propel the first-type particle 216 a intothe nozzle 12. FIG. 19a also illustrates that the second membrane 210 bcan initially withstand the force or pressure of the pressurized gas100.

FIG. 19b illustrates that once the first-type particles 216 a haveexited the first particle reservoir 209 a, the pressurized gas 100 cancreate a membrane breach 218 in the second membrane 210 b. Thepressurized gas 100 can then deliver or propel the second-type particles216 b into the nozzle 12. By covering the first particle reservoir 209 awith a first membrane 210 a and covering the second particle reservoir209 b with a second membrane 210 b, the delivery device 1 can create adelay in delivering the second-type particle 216 b to the treatmentsurface 11.

The delay can span several minutes, several seconds, or severalmilliseconds. Moreover, the delay can be adjusted by adjusting thethickness or material composition of the first membrane 210 a relativeto the second membrane 210 b. When the pressurized gas 100 has created amembrane breach 218 in the first membrane 210 a covering the upstreamand downstream ends of the cassette housing 204, the first particlereservoir 209 a can become part of the gas flow passageway 101.Similarly, when the pressurized gas 100 has created a membrane breach218 in the second membrane 210 covering the upstream and downstream endsof the cassette housing 204, the second particle reservoir 209 b canthen become part of the gas flow passageway 101.

FIG. 20 illustrates that two particle cassettes 200 can be sequentiallyaligned along the device longitudinal axis 32. Although two particlecassettes 200 are shown in FIG. 20, it is contemplated that three, four,five, or more particle cassettes 200 can be aligned sequentially alongthe device longitudinal axis 32. One of the particle cassettes 200 cancontain a different type of particles 216 or therapeutic agents than theother particle cassettes 200. The multiple particle cassettes 200 can behoused by the same expansion chamber 10 or different expansion chambers10. The multiple particle cassettes 200 can be housed along differentsegments of the delivery device 1. The first particle reservoir 209 a ofone particle cassette 200 can contain the first-type particle 216 a andthe second particle reservoir 209 b of the other particle cassette 200can contain the second-type particle 216 b. The first-type particle 216a can mix with the second-type particle 216 b in the nozzle 12 or alongthe gas flow passageway 101.

In this disclosure “coupled” can mean, but is not limited to, physicallyconnected or attached by a threading mechanism, interlocked, twisted,heat sealed, sealed, welded, sized to fit, clipped on, resting on orbetween, snap fit, interference fit, any combination thereof, or anyother coupling mechanism known to one skilled in the art.

Each of the individual variations or embodiments described andillustrated herein has discrete components and features which may bereadily separated from or combined with the features of any of the othervariations or embodiments. Modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation, material, composition of matter, process, processact(s) or step(s) to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the presentinvention.

Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recitedevents which is logically possible, as well as the recited order ofevents. Additional steps or operations may be provided or steps oroperations may be eliminated to achieve the desired result.

Furthermore, where a range of values is provided, every interveningvalue between the upper and lower limit of that range and any otherstated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed withinthe invention. Also, any optional feature of the inventive variationsdescribed may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combinationwith any one or more of the features described herein.

All existing subject matter mentioned herein (e.g., publications,patents, patent applications and hardware) is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety except insofar as the subject matter may conflictwith that of the present invention (in which case what is present hereinshall prevail). The referenced items are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention isnot entitled to antedate such material by virtue of prior invention.

Reference to a singular item, includes the possibility that there areplural of the same items present. More specifically, as used herein andin the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “said” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude anyoptional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve asantecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,”“only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements,or use of a “negative” limitation. Unless defined otherwise, alltechnical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning ascommonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which thisinvention belongs.

This disclosure is not intended to be limited to the scope of theparticular forms set forth, but is intended to cover alternatives,modifications, and equivalents of the variations or embodimentsdescribed herein. Further, the scope of the disclosure fully encompassesother variations or embodiments that may become obvious to those skilledin the art in view of this disclosure. The scope of the presentinvention is limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for delivering particles comprising: storing theparticles in a particle cassette having a cassette housing and acassette membrane, wherein the cassette housing comprises an EthyleneVinyl Acetate (EVA) copolymer of 18% to 28% Vinyl Acetate (VA);delivering pressurized gas to the exterior of the particle cassette;rupturing the particle cassette with the pressurized gas; andaccelerating the particles out of the particle cassette with thepressurized gas, wherein greater than 40% of the particles are deliveredby the pressurized gas, wherein the cassette membrane comprisespolycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyether ether ketone.2. The method of claim 1, wherein greater than 70% of the particles aredelivered by the pressurized gas.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein40-85% of the particles are delivered by the pressurized gas.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein 60-85% of the particles are delivered by thepressurized gas.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cassette membraneis 10 to 30 microns thick.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdisengaging a safety interlock.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising accelerating the particles out of the particle cassette withthe pressurized gas through a silencer.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the cassette membrane is composed of ⅓ polycarbonate, ⅓polyethylene terephthalate, and ⅓ polyether ether ketone.